ZAGREB, August 13, 2019 – Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić on Tuesday dismissed criticism that he was ignoring the opinions of experts and of a general public in connection with the planned changes of Zagreb’s city plan.
Being met with criticism that the proposed changes were put up for public consultation during the summer when there are fewer people in the city, Mayor Bandić said today that he “remains accountable to voters” and that he complied with laws and with procedures.
“I respect that, and it is on the City Assembly to adopt the city plan or not. My proposal is to amend it in accordance with the procedure,” he said at a news conference.
As for criticism that he is serving the interests of certain groups considering the amending of the city’s urban development plan, Bandić called on those critics to specify exactly whose interest he protected.
The Labour and Solidarity Party led by Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić has recently got one more independent lawmaker, Siniša Varga, who also used to be a Social Democratic Party parliamentarian (SDP).
Varga, a former SDP health minister, left that Opposition party in mid-March this year and on that occasion said that he would work in the legislature as an independent lawmaker. However, since recently the information on the official website of the Sabor says that Varga is a member of the Labour and Solidarity Party.
During a news conference in Zagreb on Tuesday, Bandić said that he did not know when exactly Varga had joined his party.
“We do not refuse any fair, skilful and competent person, and we do not run for anybody,” Bandić said when asked when Varga became a member of his party.
More Zagreb news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
