Environmental Dispute in Montenegro Sparks Political Tensions

Plans for a new wastewater treatment facility in Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica, are causing significant public unrest and potential political fallout. The facility is proposed for the village of Botun in the Zeta municipality, an area that has seen ongoing debates about its border with Podgorica. Local residents have expressed their concerns that the construction could jeopardize their health and environment, leading to protests that have persisted for nearly a month.

Residents of Botun have set up tents to demonstrate their opposition to the planned facility. They argue that the current outdated sewage system poses health risks and that the proposed project would exacerbate these issues. The Zeta municipality has scheduled a referendum for December 14, 2023, allowing its 12,747 residents to vote on the construction of the collector. Although the referendum is not binding for Podgorica, it reflects the local community’s strong dissent.

Jagoš Bećirović, a protest leader, stated that the community will determine its next steps following the referendum results, emphasizing the importance of local voices in this decision. He said, “We will organize a gathering of citizens next week to announce further actions.”

The local government, led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Podgorica’s Mayor Saša Mujović, met with Botun residents on Wednesday to discuss their concerns. Mujović assured the community that the government would address previous environmental issues, including the remediation of red mud ponds and the monitoring of harmful emissions. He remarked, “I genuinely hope that reason prevails, as I consider the government’s proposal to be extremely fair. The plant is not a polluter, and there is no reason not to commence construction at the defined location.”

The urgency surrounding this project is amplified by the financial stakes involved. If construction does not begin by the end of 2023, Montenegro risks losing approximately €100 million in funding from the European Union. This facility is the largest environmental project supported by the EU in Montenegro, which has already allocated nearly €33 million in non-repayable funds for the new sewer system and collector. This funding covers more than 40 percent of the total investment, supplemented by loans from the German development bank KfW.

In 2022, Podgorica signed a contract with the Turkish consortium Kuzu Group for the construction of the facility. EU officials have repeatedly stated that compliance with environmental standards under Chapter 27 cannot be achieved until work on the Botun facility commences. Montenegro has committed to establishing a total of 29 wastewater treatment plants by 2035, ensuring that 95 percent of its population is connected to a sewage system.

The current facility in Podgorica, built in 1978, was designed for only 55,000 residents, while the city’s population has grown to nearly 180,000 according to the 2023 census. This discrepancy highlights the critical need for an updated treatment solution.

Political tensions have also risen, with the leader of the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DNP), Milan Knežević, and Zeta’s president, Mihailo Asanović, actively participating in the protests. Knežević announced that his party would withdraw from the Podgorica government if construction begins, and he threatened to leave the national government if police confront protesters.

While some political factions, including the SNP and local officials from the Democratic Party of Montenegro and New Serbian Democracy, oppose the construction, their leaders at the national level have not publicly resisted the government’s plans for Botun. This dissonance suggests a complex political landscape, with local concerns potentially being overshadowed by broader political strategies.

As the situation unfolds, the implications for environmental policy, public health, and political stability in Montenegro remain uncertain. The outcome of the referendum and subsequent actions by both the local community and government will be pivotal in determining the future of the wastewater treatment facility and its impact on the residents of Botun and Podgorica.