Croatian historian and former diplomat Ivo Goldstein assessed as “good” that manifestation glorifying the Nazi-allied Independent State Croatia (NDH) in Bleiburg was replaced with a commemoration for victims, adding that this happened owing to Austria’s and not Croatia’s authorities.

Speaking for N1, Goldstein said it was a disgrace that Austria “had to slap us once or several times, which made some of the organizers to realize what had to be done and in which way.”

“It is a different matter that the messages which do not match the historical truth were conveyed, and they are even more fatal for the political correctness,” he added.

This year’s commemoration in Bleiburg attracted a lot of attention in the Austrian public and local law enforcement. For the first time in decades, counter-protests were announced, and the public debate in Austria centres on public displays of fascist symbols during the event. This triggered Austrian police to announce a “massive increase of their presence” at the event, which ended without any incidents reported.