ZAGREB, December 13, 2018 – The Zagreb City Assembly on Thursday adopted next year’s Zagreb city budget of 8.19 billion kuna, up 185 million kuna from this year, with 26 votes in favour, 24 against and no abstentions.
Mayor Milan Bandić accepted all amendments proposed by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The opposition did not put forward any amendments, describing the budget as “megalomanic” and not benefiting the citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the SDP, HSS and Advance Croatia group in the Assembly, Rajko Ostojić said that the Zagreb city budget was social but not developmental and that it was just the continuation of things that have already been seen and would not improve the quality of life for citizens. He noted that for 18 years there had not been any developmental projects in the city.
The Independents for Croatia, who until now were the junior coalition partner with Bandić’s party, would not support the budget because Bandić had received the Chairman of the Assembly of the Serbian town of Jagodina, Dragan Markovic Palma, who has been described as a self-confessed Chetnik.
Tomislav Tomašević spoke on behalf of the Left Bloc also criticised the budget. “21 million kuna is being allocated to monuments, yet only 12 million kuna for the reconstruction or construction of new kindergartens. And that is demographic policy,” he quipped ironically.
Daniela Juroš Pečnik, head of the City Office for Finance, said that the budget was 185 million kuna higher than last year, adding that four times more money had been absorbed from EU funds and somewhat higher loans were expected for capital investment.
She added that if the budget was not adopted, that could threaten further absorption of 500 million kuna in EU funds.
After losing the support of the Independents for Croatia, Bandić’s party lacked the support of three councillors for the budget to be passed. The three votes were secured from Ilija Ćorić (HSS), Miroslav Polovanec (HSLS) and Jozo Miličević (independent).
More news about Zagreb can be found in our special section.
