The concert of Marko Perković Thompson, scheduled for July 5 at the Zagreb Hippodrome, attracted attention due to the announcement that ticket payments would be possible exclusively via cashless methods. Organizers introduced a mobile application to facilitate access to information and ticket purchases. Former parliament member Ivan Pernar expressed concern and criticism on social media, claiming that banning cash payments at the concert is the first step towards total control over people, calling it the “wet dream of globalists.” Organizers emphasized that the concert is not considered a high-risk event and that security and health aspects have been thoroughly planned in cooperation with relevant authorities, including the engagement of medical teams and mobile hospitals. This topic has sparked various public reactions, focusing on issues of security, technology, and freedom of payment.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize concerns about civil liberties and privacy, highlighting Ivan Pernar’s criticism of the cashless payment system as a form of control and surveillance. They may frame the issue within broader debates about government overreach and the erosion of personal freedoms.
Center: Center-leaning sources focus on the organizational and safety aspects of the concert, presenting the cashless payment system as a modern convenience and a security measure. They report on the cooperation between organizers and authorities to ensure a safe event, emphasizing the health and logistical preparations.
Right: Right-leaning media often highlight the concert as a cultural and patriotic event, supporting Thompson and framing the cashless payment controversy as an example of globalist interference and control. They may echo Pernar’s views, portraying the ban on cash as an attack on traditional values and personal freedom.
