Porec Council rejects SDP proposal to ban 'Za dom spremni'

The Porec City Council has by majority vote rejected a proposal by SDP councillor Aleksandar Kovač to prevent fascist and Ustasha symbols and slogans, including "Za dom spremni", at public events in city spaces. The proposal was discussed at the tenth council session, reported Glas Istre.

Kovač's proposal for a conclusion on the consistent application of constitutional and anti-fascist values followed public debates sparked by a concert by Marko Perković Thompson held earlier this year in Porec. The city administration responded that the City of Porec lacks the legal authority for such measures. Questions of public order and peace, as well as the sanctioning of controversial symbols, fall under the jurisdiction of the police, the state prosecutor's office, and other state bodies. The city holds decisions regarding the use of public surfaces and business premises, but cannot introduce bans not provided for by national legislation.

Councillors also rejected another opposition proposal, that of SDP councillor Mladen Lač, regarding compensation for the excessive use of unclassified roads. Under the proposal, construction companies whose heavy vehicles disproportionately wear down roads would pay the compensation. The response was that a city decision on this matter exists, but the national regulation on which it was based has been repealed. Therefore, there is currently no legal basis for introducing the compensation.

Initiatives by councillors were also presented at the session. Marina Radošić proposed the protection and restoration of the remains of the Church of St Martin in the bay of the same name, as well as the marking of the remains of an ancient Roman villa near the Friendship Parks. Mayor Loris Peršurić accepted both initiatives. Councillor Ivica Milotić requested the establishment of a haemodialysis centre, to which the response was that the City would resubmit the proposal to the Istrian Health Homes. Discussions also took place regarding a digital platform for municipal reports and the restarting of the summer cinema.