Residents of Tivat protested against decisions by the state enterprise JP Morsko dobro, which leased the southern part of Belane beach to the Podgorica construction company Civil Engineer, causing dissatisfaction among the local community. The protest gathered hundreds of people, including fishermen, sailors, environmental activists, and representatives of most local political parties except the New Serbian Democracy. The main demand is the abolition of Morsko dobro and the return of coastal management to local municipalities. The protest was also supported by a humanitarian action to raise funds for the treatment of a seriously ill young Tivat resident. The mayor of Tivat did not attend the protest due to obligations at a government session, which caused dissatisfaction among citizens. Local officials emphasize that Morsko dobro disregards the interests of local communities and that commercialization threatens the traditional way of life of coastal residents. Further protests and possible traffic blockades are planned if commercialization of the beach is not stopped.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning reports emphasize the grassroots nature of the protest, highlighting the community’s fight against privatization and commercialization of public coastal spaces. They focus on the environmental and social impact of Morsko dobro’s policies, portraying the state enterprise as neglectful of local interests and traditional ways of life. The narrative supports local empowerment and calls for decentralization of coastal management.
Center: Center-leaning coverage presents the protest as a legitimate local response to controversial leasing decisions by Morsko dobro. It balances the economic arguments for development and investment with the community’s concerns about access and preservation of public beaches. The narrative includes statements from local officials and Morsko dobro, emphasizing the need for dialogue and legal frameworks to manage coastal resources effectively.
Right: Right-leaning articles tend to focus on the importance of legal contracts and economic development, highlighting the role of Morsko dobro in attracting investments and managing coastal assets. They may downplay the protest’s scale or frame it as politically motivated by local opposition parties. The narrative supports maintaining state enterprise authority and stresses the benefits of commercialization for tourism and economic growth.
