Croatia's Minister of Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, stated that under new legislation passed in 2023, beach concessions in Croatia no longer allow for the fencing off of beaches. However, the beach in front of the Rijeka Hilton Hotel was granted under the old 2015 law, which permitted such fencing. The concession holder, Costabelle d.o.o., has blocked access to this beach, prompting local MP Marin Miletić to repeatedly break into the gate to protest. Miletić has filed complaints against the company, arguing that the fence violates the law by restricting public access. Butković emphasized that existing rights based on the older law cannot be changed and noted that there are currently 15 beaches in Croatia fenced under previous regulations. He criticized Miletić's actions as populist and politically motivated rather than based on factual concerns. Butković added that Rijeka has approximately 26.5 kilometers of coastline and that no one is preventing the development of new beaches to provide more swimming areas for residents.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the situation through the perspective of the minister, emphasizing legal changes and criticizing the opposition MP's actions as populist and politically motivated. It highlights the minister's stance on enforcing new laws while defending existing concessions, suggesting a pro-offi






