Another protest was held in front of the office of the Public Enterprise for Managing Maritime Property in Ulcinj, organized by the current beach leaseholders, restaurant associations, and the Ada Bojana NGO, according to the portal UL Info. The protest featured speeches from Albert Kastrati, Zoran Dočić, Drago Vukčević, Valentina – Vanja Bogojević, and Dželal Hodžić.
They all agreed that the decisions of the Ulcinj government were discriminatory. They expressed dissatisfaction that their demands were not considered and stated their readiness to boycott. The protesters emphasized that these actions have united the people of Ulcinj.
They gathered to clearly and loudly express their discontent and protest against decisions that threaten their livelihoods, businesses, and the future of the coast.
“For years, we have witnessed a lack of transparency, injustice, and the disregard of our demands by institutions that should be working in the interest of all citizens, not a few. The Maritime Property and the government are attempting to blackmail us, forcing us to accept disastrous conditions under which they announced the latest beach lease tender and temporary locations,” the protesters said.
They stated that the Maritime Property tender is nothing more than an attempt at exploitation disguised as development.
“The 300% increase in lease fees compared to previous years is economically unjustifiable, inconsistent with real market conditions, and inflation. It is a strategy to push out domestic entrepreneurs and make way for those with questionable capital,” they argued.
The protesters claimed that the authorities never consulted with them, those who invest and live off their businesses in Ulcinj. They also criticized the decisions made in closed offices, far from public scrutiny, and stated that the only time the government remembers them is when they need their money.
They vowed not to allow their natural resources to be managed by those who only come to Ulcinj for official meetings.
“We will not allow ourselves to be treated as mere ATMs from which they can take whenever they need. Our money is for investing in Ulcinj, in our city, in our future, not for fulfilling political debts. From this place, we clearly send the message: if the government and Maritime Property do not revoke this disgraceful tender, we are ready to take all legally allowed actions,” they announced during the protest.
Their demands are to reduce the lease prices and align them with real market conditions and inflation, revert the scoring system to the previous model to protect local leaseholders, and to amend contracts as they were in previous years, as they were not given enough time to prepare for the season.
“If our demands are not met, we are ready for a boycott! We are ready for blockades. We are determined to fight for what is rightfully ours. Our coast, our beaches, and our city are not for sale. Therefore, we call on all citizens, businesses, the media, and everyone who wants a fair and transparent future to join us. Your support is crucial, your voice is the strength of this protest. Together, united, with dignity, we will win,” the protesters concluded.
