President Milanović in Zlatar: Authorities in Croatia do not want to implement decentralization because it would lead to loss of political influence and the ability to extort
“To manage public money fairly, not to give it to one’s own (camp), not to steal, plunder and engage in recruitment favouritism – that is the essence of public work. Without that, the whole construction crumbles. What’s worst, those who are coming, who tomorrow will establish companies and vote observe this, and it’s not good for them to get used to something that is deviant. There is too much deviance and, quite simply, social eccentricity in public life and business,” the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said today in Zlatar, where he took part in a special session of the Zlatar Town Council held in observance of Municipal Day.
In his address at the special session, President Milanović said that Croatia needs decentralization, but it is a question to what extent. “In Croatia, the level of decentralization is pathetic and non-existent, unfortunately. It was not possible 30 years ago, especially not during the war, and it had to be implemented slowly,” he said, adding that nothing is being done about decentralization, “not because one doesn’t know how, because models exist, but because one doesn’t want to.” Decentralization will not be implemented, the President explained, because “that costs you political influence, racketeering and the ability to extort. You’ll do it my way and you’ll get the money, but I will first give the money to my camp. That’s not good, everyone sees it, but they adapt to it. Even young people, because they can’t change it. That needs to be changed! And it shouldn’t have anything to do with any political colour, but unfortunately it does. It is worth fighting for and should be fought for. It is the only thing that makes sense to fight for, because all other things function, more or less,” the President underscored.
President Milanović said that the world is changing and expectations are different, but what doesn’t change is the people’s desire to live well. In this sense, he remarked that the town of Zlatar has been administered in a transparent, exemplary and intelligent way for the last 11 years. “There is no corruption as far as I can see and all I can tell you is to keep going and make the most of the EU funds available because they won’t be coming forever. You shouldn’t be too impressed by them at all,” President Milanović told those present.
Concluding his address, the President congratulated Municipal Day to the residents of Zlatar and told the municipal leaders: “I congratulate you on your decent and dedicated work, and service to the people. I congratulate you on the success you have achieved in this town. You have turned this town into what most people desire, which is a normal place to live, a place you are proud of, where you feel good, which does not stand out and does not have to be in the news every day, but which is occasionally whispered and talked about – with a smile.”
In addition to President Milanović, the President of the Zlatar Town Council Danijela Findak, Mayor of Zlatar Jasenka Auguštan, Mayor of Pregrada and representative of towns and municipalities of Krapina-Zagorje County Marko Vešligaj, Krapina-Zagorje County Prefect Željko Kolar and Member of the Croatian Parliament Siniša Hajdaš Dončić also spoke at the special session. Public awards were presented to the most deserving individuals for their contribution to the town’s development.
President Milanović was accompanied in Zlatar by Orsat Miljenić, the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic, and Melita Mulić, the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Human Rights and Civil Society.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek