Southeast Europe

The dispute between local and national authorities in Zagreb over a homecoming event for the Croatian men’s handball team continued Tuesday, a day after the team returned from the European Championships with a bronze medal.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the government had acted in the public interest, while Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said he would seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court.

At the center of the controversy is hyper-patriotic rock singer Marko Perković Thompson, whose concert in the capital last summer also sparked weeks of debate. The handball team wanted Thompson to perform at the event in Ban Jelačić Square. Tomašević refused and canceled the city-organized celebration, citing objections to the performer.