Bacoli mayor vows free public beaches, challenges private concessionaires

Mayor Josi Della Ragione of Bacoli is pushing to make around 80 % of the town’s coastline free and publicly accessible. He cited the expiration of historic beach concessions and announced measures such as free shuttles to free‑beach sites, the right for pets to enter, and a plan for a single low‑price public beach managed by the municipality. The mayor condemned private operators for high charges – up to €50 for two sun‑beds – and for abusive practices that he says have limited citizens’ access to the sea.

The campaign intensified after a beachgoer was rebuked as a “pezzente” by a lifeguard at a private lido. In a lengthy Facebook post, Della Ragione promised new public tenders for kiosks and beach facilities, stricter enforcement against illegal occupation, and declared that the upcoming expiry of the first concessions on 30 August would trigger a “revolution” in Bacoli’s shoreline management. He framed the initiative as a broader struggle against private control of Italy’s coasts, where 40‑50 % of the shoreline is occupied by concessionaires.

The mayor’s proposals aim to restore the beach as a common good, improve rights and protections for both swimmers and beach workers, and set a precedent for other coastal municipalities.