Italy's Beach Managers Protest Government's Inaction on EU Competition Rules

Italy's beach managers protested against the government's delay in addressing EU demands to open beach licenses to public tender. Traditionally family-run, the lucrative licenses should have been put up for public bidding since 2006. The protest underscores frustration as the 2023 beach concessions expired, necessitating reassignments by the year's end.

Italy's beach managers staged a symbolic protest on Friday, closing their umbrellas for several hours to demand the government resolve a longstanding issue with the European Union regarding competition in their sector.

These lucrative licenses to rent out sun loungers and manage beach facilities, which are family-controlled and handed down through generations, have been a point of contention. The EU mandated public tendering for the licenses back in 2006, but Italian governments have consistently stalled, despite pressure from Brussels. The issue resurfaced as current beach concessions expired at the end of 2023, requiring reassignment by year's end.

The protest aimed to press Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist coalition to set national criteria for tenders and provide economic compensation. However, the government indicated it needs more time due to ongoing talks with Brussels. Italy's beach industry generates substantial revenue, yet remains resistant to liberalization efforts, risking EU fines for non-compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)