- Published: 15.12.2025.
Public procurement procedure launched for Vjesnik removal
On Monday the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets launched a public procurement procedure for the removal of the Vjesnik skyscraper. The procurement procedure will last until January 15 and the final decision on the demolition method will be made.
As clarified by Deputy Prime Minister and responsible Minister Branko Bačić, following the State Inspectorate’s decision that the Vjesnik skyscraper has to be removed, the Ministry can launch the public procurement procedure for bidders. This was preceded by market research, during which budgetary offers were requested from 34 entities for the removal of the skyscraper, based on the model “design and removal.”
Out of the 34 companies, 18 of them responded - their budgetary offers ranged from 1.8 million to 5.5 million euro for the price of removal, while the timeframe for removing the skyscraper ranged from 1 to 12 months. The largest number of offers referred to mechanical removal and a small portion referred to blasting. Now, the negotiation processes will follow.
“It is possible to finish the entire negotiation process by mid-January, after which the contractor should be selected. Then contracts will be signed and implementation initiated. Our documentation will allow both demolition methods to contractors, and then the Ministry will assess all aspects and conditions,” the Minister said.
One of the most important criteria will certainly be the time required for the removal. He also added that he couldn’t reveal the companies’ names due to the confidentiality of the negotiation process.
With regard to the money from the insurance company, the insurer will pay 3% of the policy for the removal itself, which amounts to one million and six hundred thousand euro, after which indemnification for the building will follow according to the policy.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Tonči Glavinić said that companies whose budgetary offers were the most comprehensive and included all aspects relevant for preparing and announcing the procurement procedure will enter the negotiation process.
When asked by the reporters whether the skyscraper’s structural stability was further compromised, Special Advisor to the Minister Dr. Dominik Skokandić responded that the Vjesnik building had not suffered additional damage, that there were no new cracks or tilting of the building.
Bačić - despite my efforts, I don’t see what is questionable in the Act
The Minister also commented on today’s parliamentary voting on the legislative package regarding physical planning and construction, because of which the opposition announced constitutional complaints and a referendum. He says that, despite his efforts, he does not see what is questionable in the Act nor that it was possible to find out from the opposition’s amendments. Minister Bačić also claims the Act is completely in line with the Constitution, but “this will be determined by the only competent authority - the Constitutional Court.”
“It is the opposition’s right to call citizens to a referendum, and what the Ministry will do is organise a public gathering and invite all experts, legal professionals and professors to sit with us and send a message to Croatian citizens on whether the acts violate constitutional rights and to see where this so-called land seizure and privatisation 2.0 is,” Bačić said to the opposition in response to their announcement of a referendum.
Source: HINA/MPGI