Croatia: Massive Protests Against Government Over Delay in Removing Thousands of Tons of Waste

Zagreb
Thousands of people gathered in the main square of Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, to protest the government’s slow pace in beginning the removal of over 30,000 tons of waste from the country’s central region. Local activists say the waste is contaminating the area’s drinking water.
The demonstration, considered one of the largest protests in Croatia in recent years, was named the “March for Lika,” referring to the mountainous region where the waste has been stored.
Authorities revealed last year that between 34,000 and 37,000 tons of waste exist at a site near the town of Gospić in the Lika region, most of it imported from Italy in 2023 and 2024. The government had pledged to clean up the site, but environmental groups say progress has been minimal. Activists claim the waste includes medical and other industrial refuse, contaminating the air, soil and water of Lika — a region known for its expansive natural landscapes. Protesters accuse the government of severe negligence in removing it.
Demonstrators carried banners reading “Croatia’s lungs can no longer breathe,” “Stop Croatia’s destruction,” and “Nature does not forgive.” Verica Jurnjak, a woman who traveled from Gospić to join the rally, said: “We are not satisfied with the government’s response. This site should have been cleaned up long ago. It’s tragic that no one is concerned about our children and their future.”