On post-communist and pre- EU meaning of the word "lobbying"
INVISIBLE NETWORKS AND COMPANIES
(a note on yet another job application lost, refusal letter No 32 to come)
*
So, after writing a text for Venice CEI meeting on which already is almost sure I would not be able to arrive I have found out unofficially the position of MKC director (multi-media cultural center in the city of Split) was given to a person that was “leading” it for the last decade and has survived all the government’s changes, an economist by the vocation. Even though the mandatory of the directors positions is usually only two mandates she has managed to take it for the third time. She really has a power as she is managing to keep on the position of a director for doing-not-a-thing. The object was opened in the last three months for the time period of the whole last decade for only one show, which was probably there to make some kind of the “fog” for the re-election.
As I got these news I am going to stay unemployed, I’ve heard the same thing repeating again – “you should have been lobbying.” I am quite fascinated with Croatian use of the word “lobbying” it stands for the: corruption, patronage, nepotism. If you need a job it is not the application, cover letter or CV or even recommendation letters, but an amount of powerful people to stand behind for you, for which of course you need – money.
This may also draw you in the situation in which you are a life obligor if the person is found latter in bad position or if the situation is ever found out. That actually is a social blackmail, as you are immediately standing with all possibilities that would also encounter criminal acts, as it was not legal what you have done to get the job either. More anonymous the network of debtors is - the possibility to hold the power is larger. This was indeed found out recently by a joiurnalist – Croatian mafia does not like appearance in the media, they prefer to stay invisible.
As building a power-net, that may or may not be parallel to the official one, also being organized on the basic pattern of organization of criminals, interest groups that hold to the interest by “secret lobbying” are also covering up all previous criminal acts of blackmails and nepotism. Once one is discovered the chain would unveil by itself.
But it is also dangerous to stay out of those networks in the post-war country panicking of the EU, that is currently passing through the last phase - mysterious Russian, and British companies registering in Croatia for the minimum amount of deposit several of companies and then without of course paying any taxes – buying all they can. It seems money is the only that matters and greediness has no ends.
So, the same way the institution that occupies the Youth house of the socialism, built by workers of socialism and surely belonging only to them, is registered as an independent or private art place that actually doesn’t work. It may also bee the secret safety vault for the times of political withdrawal where money is deposited as none has ever given the clear tax books and tax offices cannot enter there if not invited specifically.
tag: EU, corruption, unemployment, Croatia
anarchiva
Posts
