The new mayor of Sisak, Domagoj Orlić, doubled his salary to 7,650 euros gross at the first city council meeting, sparking criticism from the opposition, especially the SDP. HDZ claims that the salary of the former mayor Kristina Ikić Baniček was higher, but data shows she led the city voluntarily and received a salary as a parliamentary representative, not as mayor. SDP emphasizes that the salary increase amid the city’s financial problems and the cancellation of a concert due to lack of funds is unacceptable. This move has caused political controversy and differing interpretations regarding the justification of the salary increase.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources, primarily SDP and allied media, emphasize the irresponsibility and hypocrisy of the mayor’s decision to double his salary amid financial difficulties in Sisak, including canceled public events and warnings about budget constraints. They criticize the move as self-serving and out of touch with citizens’ needs.
Center: Centrist sources report the facts of the salary increase and the political dispute without strong editorializing. They present both HDZ’s defense that the former mayor’s salary was higher and the opposition’s criticism, highlighting the ongoing political debate and the financial context of the city.
Right: Right-leaning sources, including HDZ-affiliated media, defend the salary increase by pointing out that the former mayor’s official salary was higher when including her parliamentary pay, and that the new mayor’s salary complies with legal regulations. They frame the criticism as politically motivated and emphasize the need for proper compensation for elected officials.
