Council members walked out of the Sinj City Council session, claiming the mayor unlawfully distributed nearly 200,000 euros in cash. Bulj fires back, saying he is protecting the citizens.
The HDZ and NL dr. Jadrijević council club stated in their announcement that Mayor Bulj paid out nearly 200,000 euros in cash, hand-to-hand, based on his own conclusion. This, they claim, disregarded the City Council's decision that stipulated payments to beneficiaries' accounts, or via FINA for those without bank accounts.
"This isn't just a violation of a decision aimed at protecting the dignity of citizens and public money, but also the fundamental principle of local democracy that the executive branch implements the decisions of the representative body. If the mayor can arbitrarily dispose of public funds against the Council's decisions, then what is the City Council for?" reads the statement, as reported by HRT Vijesti.
The council members expressed regret that this is happening during the city's most significant celebrations. They stated it is inappropriate to be talking about political conflicts and insults instead of the Alka and the Assumption of Mary, and they have called on the relevant institutions to investigate the legality of Bulj's actions.
In their public address, the Sinj HDZ did not spare the mayor. They reminded him of his earlier verbal clashes with the county prefect, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, and ministers, noting that he has mostly spared President Zoran Milanović and coalition partners from the SDP and Možemo.
"We see Miro Bulj's days all year round. Is it too much to ask that at least during the Alka and the Assumption of Mary, Sinj be allowed to be the town of the Alka, the Madonna, unity, and dignity?" they said from HDZ.
Mayor Miro Bulj sharply responded to all accusations. He claimed that HDZ and NL dr. Jadrijević tried to prevent the distribution of the 'alkarica' because they were incapable of making the necessary decision, wanting people to be left without aid.
"I could not and did not want to leave my people high and dry. That's why, as mayor, I made a decision and ensured the distribution of the 'alkarica' to all those entitled to it, including our fellow citizens whose accounts are blocked or under garnishment," Bulj wrote in his statement.
He further criticized the council majority for their inability to reach an agreement on the City of Sinj's public awards, particularly highlighting the Lifetime Achievement Award. He called this failure a disgrace for the city ahead of its most important days.
"The City of Sinj's money belongs to the citizens of Sinj. As long as I am mayor, aid will reach our pensioners, the unemployed, and all those in need. No political bargaining will stop me. I have been with my people and I will remain so, and you, Rudokop coalition, #NE_ĆE_TE," Bulj concluded.
The 'alkarica' is a one-time cash benefit that has been paid out in Sinj for several years as part of the Alka festivities. Mayor Bulj recently increased it to 50 euros per person. The further course of the dispute will depend on the possible actions of the relevant institutions, which the council members have called upon to examine the legality of the payment, as well as the continuation of the political struggle in the City Council.
