Ćulafić: Čarapić calls residents of Podgorica "guinea pigs"

Mitar Vuković said that the capital's budget is a "development budget".

"I dare to say that this is a household budget. I am asking you if anyone is accountable for the million euros paid to the director of a public company. It is not. I am convinced that this current government will not allow omissions..." said Vuković. 

Šušić asked Rakčević "what are the plans for FC 'Budućnost' considering that it is managed by a private company". 

Ćulafić said that the ambitiously projected capital budget means nothing. 

Rakčević said that he was glad that the Morača barracks was not "sold to tycoons". 

"Fortunately, we don't have City Quarter three or four there," Rakčević pointed out, adding that two museums will be built on that site. 

Deputy Mayor Luka Rakčević reminded that funds for cultural and sports events are twice as much as before.

"Increased funds were given to sports clubs. We doubled the funds for the construction of new, green and park areas. I regret that this was not done much earlier. Next year will be more record compared to the last. By the end of this mandate, we will repair more roads. We have set aside two million euros for the reconstruction of 'Podgoričanka'. That building has a certain symbolic significance. We were waiting for zero ready projects for which tenders could be called...", said Rakčević. 

He explained that the idea of ​​the new city administration is to work on more projects that they will be able to finance and implement.

"We are thinking ahead. We asked for the Crooked Bridge to be widened to four lanes... We want to come to ready-made solutions. Considerable funds have been allocated for the construction of Božana Vučinić Square," said the deputy mayor. 

Mitar Vuković reminded Ćulafić that he refused to declare tennis player Novak Đoković an "honorary citizen of Podgorica". 

"We can correct all your irregularities only in six years, not six months. I assure you that you have not accepted any of our proposals when it comes to the opposition. You are a young man, so you may not know that. Zeković leads you in welfare and in creating a good "climate" of Montenegro," said the Democrat councilor. 

Stefan Ćulafić (DPS) pointed out that "the lack of democratic capacity is the rejection of all opposition amendments".

"This is about political chauvinism - in which it does not matter who proposes, nor what proposes. There is no essential reason for rejecting such amendments. The thesis that means no with DPS shows exclusivity towards a huge number of members of that party and it is a characteristic of immature people and organizations that want to obscure the facts... And the citizens of Podgorica need to know that. It is untrue that at every session you adopt some decision that comes from the opposition. So far you have only adopted one. We will not allow you to use the exchange of theses," said Ćulafić . 

Vasilije Čarapić (Europe now) said that "democracy in the parliament happens during every session". 

Ćulafić said that Čarapić called all citizens of Podgorica guinea pigs. 

Stefan Vešović pointed out that "colleagues from the opposition are unjustifiably angry because their amendments were rejected". 

Vasilije Čarapić (Europe now) said that the budget proposal for the next year is "somewhat based on the previous one". 

"This budget deserves respect..." said Carapić.  

Klikovac said that many things in the Parliament must be terminologically clarified.

"Regarding the amendments themselves, we showed that there are 1,9 million euros that were not adequately planned. That amount is enough to cover all the opposition's amendments. I questioned the amount of gross salary, because the decision that was supposed to be made at today's session was withdrawn." , said the councilor of DPS. 

He said that the professional capacities in the service of the capital are not at a satisfactory level. 

The mayor of Podgorica, Olivera Injac, said that it is important to be ready to "face your mistakes".

"The budget for 2024 is realistic. In this way, we will prove our democratic capacities. It is legitimate to have political opinions in relation to the budget. The same applies to the parliamentary majority... The issue of support for the NGO 'Diša' is highly problematic. I am convinced that In the coming years, Podgorica can create a center for oncology patients that would provide support in the form of medical services," said Injac, adding that it is necessary for oncology patients to receive adequate care. 

She said that some arguments for the amendments are valid, while others are not. She pointed out that supporting sports and healthy lifestyles promotes social improvement. 

Mašković said that oncology patients must be helped.

"I don't want to believe that out of the 133 million euros in the budget, there are not 5.000 euros that will be set aside for that purpose... I appeal to you that, when it comes to this amendment, let's be people, and only then politicians..." , said the SD-LP councilor. 

Nađa Ljiljanić (Europa Sad) said that "we will not favor anyone" and that all NGOs will come forward.

"I think that in the course of the next year, we will allocate more resources and help the citizens of Podgorica. I would ask you not to politicize this story. We will not discriminate, but respect all non-governmental organizations," said the member of the European Council now. 

Nemanja Baošić said that the attitude of the DPS towards the "minority from the past" was bad.

Vladan Arsović (DPS) told him that he "hopes that he will read the amendments and read those he considers to be of good quality and that he will not look at them politically". 

Slađana Vujačić (DPS) said that medical topics are being politicized.

"It is inappropriate to politicize stories about medicine. They certainly do not follow the sessions of the Capital City, not because they are not interested, but because they are working, helping the citizens... And they want to supplement their free time with sleep if they even have the opportunity for it." , said Vujacic, adding that the topic of medicine should not be politicized. 

Stefan Vešović said that the number of employees in companies is "at an extremely high level", because it is "a remnant of the previous government". 

Klikovac said that the budget proposal does not have any position related to its realization. 

Nermin Abdić (DPS) asked the councilors "not to deviate from the topic and that they must have the latitude to discuss within the permitted limits of good behavior".

Councilor Boban Radević said that the results of the Service for Citizens are visible and that he is not clear about the amendment to reduce funds. 

Andrija Klikovac (DPS) believes that it is unnecessary to increase "unproductive consumption of money for official trips, work contracts...". 

"In the capital city in 2024, the number of employees will at least increase by 100 executors, not to mention local businesses. One of the best proofs is the parking lot and the capital city assembly...", Klikovac assessed. 

He singled out the amendments supporting the men's handball club "Budućnost". 

"I believe that we as the opposition in the city parliament have made a significant step forward. Not all amendments have to pass, let the priority ones pass. The citizens of Podgorica will see tomorrow that this will not happen, only because those amendments were proposed by the opposition," said Klikovac. 

Member of the Liberal Party Jovana Drobnjak said that it is "unbelievable that every one of the 30 amendments proposed by the opposition will be rejected due to technical reasons". 

"One gets the impression that colleagues from the ruling party have a stigma towards the LGBT community. If we want to progress towards the European path, we will have to suppress differences," said Drobnjak. 

Vladan Arsović (DPS) said that "the only reaction of the mayor of Podgorica comes only when political pressure is exerted". 

"The same was true for the decision to reduce the salary of the Capital City officials. Due to public pressure (a certain group from the ruling majority), the decision to reduce their salary was removed from the agenda of today's session. Keep silent as much as you can, and only when public pressure comes do you react , and that is a shameful attitude towards the citizens of Podgorica," Arsović said, adding that political interest can never come before citizens. 

Stefan Ćulafić (DPS) said that citizens should not be sent a message that the amendments have been rejected, just because they come from the opposition.

"The idea is to motivate citizens to dispose of their diesel vehicles and replace them with electric ones. And so that this would be felt in city traffic," said Ćulafić.

He pointed out that student scholarships must be higher. 

"The 200 euros allocated for their scholarship can cover almost nothing," Ćulafić said. 

Balša Špadijer rejected all 19 amendments of Stefan Ćulafić. 

Miloš Mašković submitted five amendments and said that they are very good for seeing "how things actually are in the capital".

"Citizens can see the civilizational differences between us. I believe that there is a need to do additional work in Podgorica regarding the position of LGBTQ people, because we are aware of the fact that this category of fellow citizens does not live as well as we do. I will tell you in advance, dear citizens , that amendment will be rejected," said the SD-LP councilor. 

Mašković said that "we are not surprised that young people are leaving Podgorica, because only 25.000 euros were provided for them, which is a shame." 

He said that all amendments will be rejected because "everything proposed is not good or necessary". 

Balša Špadijer rejected all of Mašković's amendments. 

Spadijer explained to Šušić that no group "is privileged". He also emphasized that the budget is planned to help citizens. 

"These funds are intended for the office, which is an integral part of the Secretariat for Social Welfare...", said Špadijer. 

As Spadijer said, the amendment to reduce funds to the "Budućnost" basketball club was rejected. 

Acting the secretary of the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis, Balša Špadijer, said that the budget of Podgorica for the next year is planned to be in the amount of 133 million euros. 

He said that they allocated more than three million euros for "culture and sports". He also emphasized that numerous incentives and programs for agricultural production and entrepreneurship are planned. 

He said that the proposed budget is the largest so far. 

Councilor Mitar Šušić said that councilors have finally "reached a situation where the budget is finally agreed upon at the session, and not on other models and platforms such as the Sky application...". 

He said that it is wrong for members of the LGBT community to receive financial resources, because they do not need them. It should be given to others who, he claims without explanation, need it much more. 

"I believe that one group should not be allowed to be promoted while other groups are ignored," the councilor claims. 

He blames human rights NGOs for having "rich sponsors" and that it is their fault that other groups are neglected in society. 

Vasilije Čarapić (Europa Sad) reacted to the filed criminal complaint "Kakaricka Gore" against Miloš Mašković (SD-LP). 

"The city government must ensure that the councilors can perform their duties unhindered," said Čarapić.

Andrija Klikovac (DPS) said that the lawsuit represents an "undemocratic practice". 

"The director of 'Kakaricke Gora' did not file a complaint on personal grounds, but abused his position and sued Mašković on behalf of that institution," said Klikovac. 

Mašković said that he was informed that "there are no elements of criminal responsibility".

"I will file a report for false reporting. I hope that the silence of the mayor and the president of the Assembly does not mean approval," Mašković said. 

The members of the Assembly of the Capital City will today discuss the Proposal for a decision on the budget of Podgorica for the next year. Among other things, they will discuss the Programs for the performance of communal activities of the companies "Čistoća", "Zelenilo", "Deponija", "Grebne usluge"... Also, the councilors will discuss the Program of work of the National Library "Radosav Ljumović". 

Councilor Aida Batilović resigned from that position due to "incompatibility with the position of acting director of KIC 'Budo Tomović'".