10 June 2026 Former Minister of Finance Alenke Bratušek is buying Croatian hotels

On June 10, 2026, former Finance Minister Uroš Čufer made headlines as he pursued the acquisition of Croatian hotels owned by the tourism company Jadran Crikvenica. The move marks a significant step in Čufer’s financial career following his tenure as a member of the government led by Alenka Bratušek. At the time, Čufer was one of the key figures in Slovenia's political landscape, known for his role in managing over three billion euros worth of bank restructuring projects during the early years of the Bratušek administration. After leaving politics in 2014, he returned to the financial sector, focusing on distressed assets before eventually becoming a co-owner of the investment firm ECP Tactical Opportunities.

Jadran Crikvenica currently operates nine hotels and three tourist resorts along the Croatian coast. However, the company has faced challenges due to poor liquidity and has been seeking strategic partners to secure additional investments. According to reports from the Croatian newspaper *Jutarnji list*, ECP Tactical Opportunities, which includes Čufer as one of its two partners, submitted a bid for capital injection that would allow them to become majority shareholders in Jadran. This would mark the second attempt to find a strategic investor for the company, after previous efforts had failed to attract sufficient interest.

The company has reportedly received three bids thus far, including two from Croatian firms. One of these came from the tourism company Aminess based in Novigrad, while another was submitted by MPPD, a firm that has constructed three hotels in Zagreb and Split in recent years. The exact amounts of these offers have not yet been disclosed. Jadran Crikvenica has drawn attention from Croatian media in the past due to high prices paid for properties such as the View Hotel on Brač Island and the sale of the Baško Polje tourist settlement, previously managed by Club Adriatic. Its largest shareholders are currently Croatian pension funds.

Uroš Čufer's involvement in this potential acquisition highlights his extensive experience in both public service and private finance. He served as the Finance Minister under Bratušek’s government and later became chairman of the supervisory board of Intesa Sanpaolo (formerly Banka Koper). In addition, he worked with the investment firm Elements Capital Partners, founded by Cypriot businessman Savvas Liasis and Turkish financier Ugur Yildirim. Together with international fund Atlas Merchant Capital, they attempted to acquire Eurobank Cyprus but ultimately did not succeed in their plans.

Despite this setback, Čufer went on to co-found ECP Tactical Opportunities, a company focused on acquiring distressed assets across various industries. In 2021, he and Yildirim also acquired Lake Ivarče, a popular destination located near Mount Uršlja in the Koroška region. However, two years later, they informed the local municipality that they no longer saw commercial interest in the area and had not found tenants. As a result, the municipality entered into a five-year lease agreement with the owners, allowing them to operate temporary rental services for hospitality and sports activities at symbolic rates.

In 2022, Čufer and Yildirim purchased the horse breeding company SG Automotive, further expanding their business interests. Meanwhile, Čufer continued to represent British financial fund Annacap, which acquired receivables from the retail group Tuš and the company Livar. During financial restructuring processes, he advised Mirko Tuš, founder of one of the largest domestic retail chains in Slovenia. His diverse portfolio and deep understanding of financial markets suggest that Čufer remains a prominent figure in both Slovenian and international financial circles.

As the situation with Jadran Crikvenica unfolds, the outcome of Čufer’s bid will likely depend on several factors, including the final valuation of the company, the terms of the proposed investment, and the broader economic conditions affecting the Croatian tourism industry. If successful, this acquisition could mark a new chapter in Čufer’s career, potentially positioning him as a major player in the European hospitality market. The deal also raises questions about the future direction of Jadran Crikvenica and whether it can successfully transition under new ownership to address its current financial challenges.