Croatian newspapers are the pits of journalism, but on occasion they are a joy to browse. The biggest news these days involves Željko Kerum, the mayor of Split, the second largest city in the country and the capital of Dalmatia. He is offering to finance out of his own pocket the tallest statue of Jesus in the world on top of Marjan, a hill close to the center of his city. Even the Jesus of Rio de Janeiro would be eclipsed. One of the richest people in the country, he has pockets deep enough for such an extravagance. “I love Croatia and Catholicism,” he explains pithily. He loves democracy, too, as witnessed by his proposal that the erection of the statue be decided on a referendum. “Let people decide,” he says. Some in Split love the idea, but others hate it, for the mayor is well known for his shenanigans. As well as his rapacious management. Predictably, the controversy is gripping the whole country already. The hoopla around the statue will undoubtedly be fun to follow. The whole country will be preoccupied with the referendum while the economy is falling apart left and right and the political scene is shifting every which way from day to day. Good boy, Kerum!