The municipality of Berane is on the brink of facing serious complications by the end of the year if it fails to complete the land sale to Lidl, a transaction that has been mired in controversy due to the ongoing political crisis.
The land in question, spanning 8.9 hectares and located in a prime area opposite the Gymnasium, is set to be developed by Lidl. However, significant issues must be resolved before the project can proceed, including demolishing numerous temporary structures that house approximately 130 families.
The sale was approved by the previous municipal assembly in a decision made just before the New Year holidays. The sale was finalized a month or two later for just under two million euros. Lidl paid nearly one million euros upfront, with the remainder contingent on clearing the site and making the land ready for development. Failure to do so may lead Lidl to seek penalties for breach of contract.
In Berane, there is growing concern about why the municipality sold this particular piece of land, especially when other land parcels are available, including those in the city center. The site also hosts a flea market, where many families rely on the income generated, and they are unlikely to accept the demolition of their livelihoods without protest.
Last year, owners of the temporary structures expressed their opposition to the demolition and questioned whether they could prevent it. However, the current administration in Berane is unable to commence the necessary preparations to meet Lidl’s deadline for the land handover.
Reports indicate that Lidl insisted on this location, although there are conflicting claims suggesting that the company might have accepted other sites in the city, which is known for its potential for expansion.
The sale of this land, located on a major traffic route leading to three high schools and the Clinical Hospital Center, will undoubtedly become a contentious issue for the future local government.
The current local government is effectively a “former” one, given the delays in scheduling sessions and dissolving the local parliament as requested by the Ministry of Public Administration and the Government of Montenegro.
As the political process drags on and Berane descends further into disarray, it is almost certain that forced administration or emergency local elections will be necessary.
The future political landscape in Berane post-elections is difficult to predict, but it is likely that the new administration will have to grapple with the contentious issue of the land sold to Lidl, potentially making it a significant challenge for the incoming leadership.
