The mayor of Split, Tomislav Šuta, rejected claims of a potential conflict of interest regarding the decision on nightclubs in the city centre. "I am not in any conflict of interest, I have already said so," Šuta told journalists, adding that he does not provide any financial services.
In response to questions about the operations of a company allegedly owned by him, but now by his wife, Šuta stated that inquiries should be directed to the company itself. "I do not know who provides services in that firm, there are financial advisors there, feel free to contact the firm, it is not for me to speak on their behalf," he said. "I do not provide any services regarding any finances," he repeated.
Following the session held on Monday, representatives of the Centre presented serious allegations against the mayor. Marijana Puljak raised the issue of the company linked to nightclubs in the city centre, while Bojan Ivošević stated that Šuta had received money linked to those clubs.
Šuta also addressed the opinion of the Ministry of Tourism, which stated that the decision to restrict alcohol service in nightclubs would not be illegal, as claimed by the local HDZ. He pointed out that the legal service had provided its opinion and that the procedure for amending the Hospitality Act was underway. He explained that the first reading of the bill had already passed, with the second reading in the Croatian Parliament to follow, after which it would need to go to the government. The amendments would explicitly allow local communities to make decisions on such activities in specific areas.
In his understanding and following consultations with legal experts, a proportionality test should be conducted, as one cannot arbitrarily decide who is allowed to operate and who is not. He stressed that this was a complex procedure involving a proportionality and constitutionality assessment, and stated that the law would not be amended if the existing opinion allowed for such a restriction. He added that the current local government had taken a number of measures to improve the situation, particularly during the tourist season. "This year we recorded an improvement in order, with municipal police working until 4am, and for next year we are planning further measures," he said. "We have shown responsibility, but it is regrettable that those who are now proposing measures and changes had the opportunity for four full years. They are now remembering that there are certain options available," he concluded.
The deputy mayor, Matea Dorčić, stated that the premises of nightclubs in the city centre were in private ownership, and that hospitality providers were entering into lease agreements for private spaces, following which a process of determining minimum technical conditions would take place. "Many people believe that minimum technical conditions constitute a permit to operate. However, for a decision on meeting the minimum technical conditions for a specific activity, such as a night club, to be issued, a number of legally prescribed parameters must be met," she explained.
As a possible model of regulation, she cited legislative changes related to apartments in residential buildings, where a legally prescribed consent from residents was introduced, along with a five-year transition period during which existing landlords had to obtain consent. "Why not include local authorities in the legislative procedure to give consent for the opening of nightclubs in a specific area?" she asked. She noted that moving clubs from zone A or zone B to any other location, where private space meeting the conditions for a night club also exists, would not be welcomed by the citizens.
Dorčić believes that the problem is not only the operation of nightclubs, but also the behaviour of guests in public spaces. "Annual reports show that the essential problem is not guests staying in the club. As long as guests are in the club, they do not represent a problem. The problem is their stay outside the clubs, where our citizens feel the consequences of a large number of people gathering in one place," she said. "The city of Split has used its legal right. Guests, when leaving the clubs in the city centre, have nowhere to buy additional alcohol and create new problems. This problem has noticeably decreased this year, around 4 or 5 in the morning," she added.
She also reflected on the past operation of the club. "I must admit that I worked in the county department and we never received a complaint about that club. It was called something else before, but now it has a different name. We never received a request to revoke the decision on meeting the minimum technical conditions," she said. "It could be legally prescribed that a club cannot be opened in such a building without the consent of the residents," she continued, reiterating that the changes to the Hospitality Act could introduce a model similar to that for apartments, with the caveat that minimum technical conditions are not the same as a permit to operate.
