At the 311th Sinjska Alka, the president said there were no political messages except a shared menu, peace and better earnings. While temperatures sizzled, political tensions between him and Plenković remained frozen, and Bulj called out the government.
As thermometers climbed to 33 degrees Celsius, Sinj on Saturday, August 9, 2026, was the stage for the traditional competition of 17 knights at the 311th Sinjska Alka. But beyond the heat, political relations were also running hot. President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković found themselves in the same place again, the second time after their meeting in Knin, but this time they were separated by a sort of 'buffer zone' in the ceremonial box and the Alkarski Dvori, between them sat Dragan Čović and Gordan Jandroković with his wife.
Prime Minister Plenković, who visited the Basilica of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj before the ceremony, briefly commented on the encounter with the president. "We're here for the Alka," Plenković said, and when asked if he would shake hands with Milanović, he replied: "We'll see."
Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković was somewhat more talkative, emphasizing that the Alka transcends daily politics. "And Miro always has something to say, but we come here with him and without him because the Sinjska Alka transcends politics and us politicians," Jandroković stated.
The host, Sinj's mayor Miro Bulj, did not miss the opportunity to sharply criticize the ruling party. "People who shut down the Sinj maternity ward are coming to Sinj to get their pictures taken; they are the gravediggers of Sinj's healthcare, and by extension, of the Sinjska Alka, because there will be no one left to run it," Bulj said, adding that as mayor, he is completely bypassed in the protocol.
"Today it's important that everything goes smoothly, but today those who abolished maternity wards for the Alkar and healthcare services will be posing for photos. By abolishing childbirth, the prime minister and the minister have struck at the very foundations of our pride," Bulj said.
Plenković did not want to respond specifically to his accusations. "I don't know what he said, but I couldn't care less," the prime minister commented briefly.
Leaders of opposition parties also gathered in Sinj, with the focus on the problem of illegally dumped waste in Lika. SDP president Siniša Hajdaš Dončić sharply criticized the government. "This is the mafia, you've sold the state to the mafia," he said.
Prime Minister Plenković responded to the accusations. "There's the DORH (State Attorney's Office) that handles this; the DORH does it in accordance with the law, and whoever is responsible will answer, certainly no one asked us to do it," he said. He added that remediation will follow, but with respect for procedure and legality. "The same people who are now rushing us would be the first to criticize us if we didn't follow procedure," he emphasized.
At the start of the competition, the traditional speech was given by the Alka duke, Marijo Šušnjara, who greeted all dignitaries and guests. "Greetings to Mayor Miro Bulj, wherever he is!" Šušnjara said, alluding to the empty chair in the ceremonial box between VAD president Stipe Jukić and Split-Dalmatia County prefect Blaženko Boban.
In his speech, he praised courage and the Homeland War, and reflected on the legacy of veterans. "Veterans would ask us many questions: why is there so much dissatisfaction, hasn't the rise in living standards sparked a sense of happiness," Šušnjara said, and concluded: "What unites us is always greater than what divides us."
After presenting congratulations and gifts to the winner, Tin Radanović, who celebrated with 12 hits, and his squire Mario Bošnjak, President Milanović delivered a speech that drew the most attention.
"I have almost no political messages except a shared menu, shared food for all of us in the coming year, until the next Alka, and that is peace, peace from cannons and rifles, and earnings for everyone, and the best possible earnings, as the last and least important, but important. Everything else is à la carte, depending on how one tries and what menu one wants for oneself."
Amid political tensions, concrete economic news also came from Sinj. Prime Minister Plenković announced a reduction in fuel prices starting Monday, along with a new practice of setting prices weekly. According to him, Eurosuper will be cheaper by 6 euro cents per liter, Eurodiesel by 4, blue diesel by 3, and gas in tanks and bottles by 8 euro cents.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia also congratulated the new winner: "Sincere congratulations to the winner of the 311th Sinjska Alka, Tin Radanović, on his brilliant victory with 12 hits! Thanks to the Viteško alkarsko društvo Sinj for another excellently organized Alka and to all who faithfully preserve this tradition."
