Municipality of Struga still has blocked accounts despite €2.5m debt cut
Mayor Mendi Ćura says debt fell by €2.5 million and expects accounts to be unblocked by year-end.
Despite announcing fiscal consolidation and debt reduction, the Municipality of Struga remains on the list of local governments with blocked bank accounts. Mayor Mendi Ćura said today the municipal debt has fallen by €2.5 million since he took office and expressed confidence the accounts will be unblocked by the end of the year.
Opposition disputes progress
The mayor described municipal finances as moving in a positive direction and said the financial consolidation process is in its final phase. He also pointed to administrative reforms, saying the new local administration has ended practices from the previous leadership when "certain people received salaries without appearing at work."
Opposition parties, however, presented a contrasting picture. They argue that citizens have not felt benefits from promised measures: only 5 percent of the pre-election programme has been implemented so far, they say, and Struga is still waiting for major projects such as the multi-storey parking garage, the renovation of the beaches and the new port.
Mayor Ćura replied that large capital investments require time and better planning, and urged patience while longer-term works are prepared and tendered. Residents say they expect the improved figures on paper and in financial reports to be translated into visible progress on the ground.
For now, the municipality remains with blocked accounts even after the reported debt cut, leaving local services and payments dependent on state procedures for unblocking and the continuation of the consolidation measures announced by the municipal leadership.
Photo: press material from the event
