Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic said on Monday that coronavirus and reconstruction following the March 22 earthquake were the priorities for which the City would have money, and he expects the government not to take HRK 900 million (approx. €119 mn) from Zagreb from the Fiscal Equalisation Fund.

Given the fact that at tomorrow’s session of the City Assembly there will be a discussion on the conclusions on the agreements between the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb counties on the establishment of a fund for the reconstruction of those areas, struck by the earthquake, reporters asked Bandic where the money would come from.

City’s money is in Fiscal Equalisation Fund

“Covid and the earthquake are two priorities for which there will be money. The HRK 900 million in the Fiscal Equalisation Fund, which we have been paying into for 15 years, is the City’s money, the money of Zagreb’s taxpayers and I expect the government not to take it from the City. That’s where the money will come from,” the mayor told a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Assembly session.

He said that capital projects such as the extended Branimirova Street or Jarun Bridge would not be at risk, and neither would the Solidarity Fund for the earthquake or anything needed to ensure citizens’ health due to coronavirus.

The mayor referred reporters to the Chairman of the Assembly, Drago Prgomet, when they asked him why tomorrow’s Assembly session with 51 councillors would be held online, while the parliament, which has 151 members, held live sessions.

The Assembly presidency makes the decision, go ask Chairman Prgomet, he said.