The opposition is not present at the vote on the remaining items on the agenda.
The Assembly gave the green light for organizing the spring market. They are not in favor of changing the rules of procedure, nor of changing the decision on the formation of Podgorica's working bodies.
The permanent working bodies of the Assembly, or committees, were formed after being voted on by the councilors. The 23 councilors who will attend the marriage ceremony have also been identified.
The assembly did not elect Alija Hamzić as acting executive director of Parking Servis Podgorica. Instead, they elected Denis Hot as acting director of Podgorica's "Čistoća".
Dragan Senić was not elected director of the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica.
The boards of directors of Funeral Services, Utilities, Sports Facilities, Markets and Marketplaces, Parking Services and Roads were dismissed. The councilors dismissed the boards of directors of the Agency for Construction and Development, as well as the Podgorica Housing Agency.
They also dismissed the councils of the Museum and Galleries, the KIC "Budo Tomović", the Children's Association...
They appointed new boards of directors for "Waterworks and Sewerage", "Cleanliness", "Greenery", "Sports Facilities". They also elected new councils for the Museum and Galleries, and the Children's Association.
The session of the Capital City has ended.
Democrats councilor Mitar Vuković said he has great respect for Senić from the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica.
"I had to say that as Mitar Vuković, who always advocated for the betterment of the city," said Vuković.
Jovana Mijović (Democrats) said that they are extremely proud and happy that the biographies proposed by the ruling majority do not include "the culprits of the Sky app, the Abu Dhabi fund, the Envelope affair, or those who are actors in the Budva Riviera...".
"Whether anyone likes them or not, we propose honest people. Those who truly stand behind their work and what they have earned. This parliament owes a big apology to the people they called illiterate here...", Mijović pointed out, adding that this is "a reflection of fear of the people who will apply the law in the City Administration."
Perić said that it would be better if biographies were available to the public, adding that this possibility, however, has been suspended.
Mašković said that the fact is that there are "a certain number of people with impressive biographies."
"Some did not even meet the basic criteria - literacy... If the citizens sent us to the opposition and said we did not do well. Don't do some of the things we did. The majority of biographies, in terms of education, do not match the board of directors on which these people will sit," Mašković believes.
PES councilor Anđela Mićović emphasized that she would never give herself the right to comment on people who have greater and better academic references than her. She told Mašković that he should have dealt less with Čarapić.
"When it comes to the appointment of Mr. Dragan Senić (Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica), we are aware of his activities and achieved results. For some, these are good results, and for others, bad results. The Europe Movement will not support the decision of the executive director now," said Mićović.
The councilors continued the discussion after a half-hour break.
Perić said "this agenda item could be called the division of party spoils."
"This is the matrix by which the power of political parties is established. The three political corporations carry out their appointments," said Perić.
When a party appoints an "incompetent party soldier," as Perić claims, then it has influence over the company.
"It costs exactly as much as it would cost if the most professional people were on the boards of directors. It's not a matter of us getting our asses kicked over companies. The point is for them (companies) to be efficient," said Perić, adding that "the entire system is subordinated to the interests of the party."
Mayor Mujović said that he "dreams of a Montenegro in which quality and references will be the only qualifications."
"I ask you to contribute to this... Meritocracy in Montenegro is spelled with a strange name. Despite my best intentions, I have encountered people who obstruct me. There is nothing secret, as far as I am concerned, to be brought forward...", said Mujović.
Councilor Renata Gojković said that she believes that Mašković does not belong as a councilor in the Capital City Assembly.
"We weren't too lazy to look at all the CVs right now. Each CV has, at least, three pages. I invite all councilors to look at the CVs together before they start talking about facts and making statements about such things. My personal opinion is that we can stand behind every CV...", said Gojković.
Democratic People's Party (DNP) councilor Vladimir Bulatović said that "opposition colleagues are once again going after the player, not the ball."
Mugoša (European Union) said that Mašković should not have been denied the floor because he said "Dormeo councillors". He pointed out that it is important to seek knowledge from employees in management boards.
"We need to have people on the board of directors with the knowledge for the position they were elected to... I cannot, for the most part, agree with the biographies that are before us," he said.
Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović said that the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI) to stop fake diplomas are "commendable." He said that there are many candidates and that it makes sense that some of their biographies "are not completely respectable."
European Union councilor Miloš Mašković said that not all biographies of board members and candidates for directors are bad.
Borovinić Bojović issued a warning to Mašković, because he used the word "shameful" when describing some of the candidates' biographies.
"They are excellent in certain areas, but here they are discredited because they were appointed to some boards of directors with which they have no connection. Many of these biographies show us that some candidates are illiterate," he said.
He said that he did not understand how someone who is a diver by profession could be one of the candidates.
Čarapić (PES) replied that nothing was controversial about it and added that the focus should be on the candidate's academic title.
He has repeatedly called the councilors of the ruling majority "Dormeo councilors."
Arsović said that without a raise, engineers at "Vodovod" would receive a minimum wage.
"Every director wants to have that Nikola Minic. That's not how it should be done. That person who told you to do that is the bottom," said Arsovic.
He said that attention should be paid to the transferred and spent funds from the budget worked on by the administration of former Mayor Olivera Injac.
"I think only 35.000 euros were used for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of water supply networks, which is really miserable," he said.
The Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government and Cooperation with Civil Society, Slađana Anđušić, said that there was no question as to whether Secretary Balša Špadijer had work experience.
"When it comes to Zdravko Blečić, my legal position differed from most lawyers. Then, and even now, I have not deviated from the same position that Blečić meets the requirements for the acting commander of the Protection and Rescue Service," said Andjušić.
Arsović requested information from the ruling majority on how much Podgorica's "Vodovod" had invested in the past few years.
"We'll see what problems will arise when summer comes," he said.
Paunović (Democrats) told Arsović that it was not appropriate for him to call the Democrats unhappy.
"I am very happy that all these bad practices have been stopped... When you present the facts, you present them as they are. The unfortunate party is the one that included Petar Ivanović, Milivoje Katnić, Saša Čađenović, Vesna Medenica...", said the Democratic councilor.
Arsović told the ruling majority to "accept the opposition's remarks with irony."
"The public should be concerned that six engineers have left 'Water Supply and Sewerage'," he said.
Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović said that behind each member "all of them with all their heart and trust".
"I will be the first to try to return to the past as little as possible... It is important to me that we get out of the zone of speculation. There is no such thing, very precisely... It is not in my interest to work according to postulates that the people have deemed wrong. I want to do as much as possible in these conditions," said Mujović.
Councilor of the Democratic Party of Socialists club, Vladan Arsović, said that the opposition had previously raised the issue of the failure to submit CVs of candidates for companies and boards of directors.
"Today, we must commend the new city administration. In preparation for this session, we received all the CVs... It is clear to us from whom the CVs were previously hidden. Among the CVs that were proposed, we have a member of the board of directors who is recommended by the organization of political gatherings. We have many CVs in which they say they use the Internet and the Windows operating system well. One says that they like traveling and making new acquaintances. One person in the CV says that they have a good recommendation from Momčilo Leković from the Democrats... In the CVs, you even have admissions that they were in the DPS. We also have honest CVs. In addition, they say that they are very creative and that they are leaders," said Arsović.
He pointed out that it was necessary to take into account what the candidates had completed.
"It doesn't occur to us to sit here when the elections and appointments are being voted on. I suggest that you give a break for everyone to read their biographies... The decisions that we (DPS) proposed yesterday were not allowed to be discussed. I ask you, Mayor, to be more specific regarding the illegal appointments in the previous period. You have the illegal appointment of Zdravko Blečić, Slavica Ilinčić... We haven't heard an explanation about Balša Špadijer either...", said Arsović, adding that "there are a handful of illegal appointments in the capital."
Mugoša said that there is no councilor who can form a club in the city parliament.
"We respect these rules of procedure. We have no choice, we have to respect the rules that are currently in force," he said.
Miloš Pižurica (PES) pointed out that he does not understand why numerically minority parties do not form a joint club and make decisions together.
"...You are asking for some more rights from that club," he replied.
Knežević (SEP) reiterated that they are not asking for anything from the ruling majority, but rather that they are demanding their rights.
"There is no need to associate with each other, because that insinuates that we have the same attitudes and views on certain issues... We want to gain some rights that are needed here through our club," she said, calling for "everyone to get what they deserve."
The councilors have concluded their discussion on this agenda item.
DNP councilor Vladimir Bulatović said that if there were a change, there would be 12 clubs in the Assembly.
"... Those councilors with 19 and those with two councilors cannot be equally represented," said Bulatović.
Knežević (SEP) explained that the party does not ask for them to be members of all committees, but rather to participate, so that everyone has equal rights.
"You are talking about democratic legitimacy... I believe that we, as minority parties, are discriminated against. Essentially, I think it is about discrimination and the unwillingness of the ruling majority to show that it wants to make democratic strides," she assessed.
Councilor of the Party of European Progress, Ilija Mugoša, emphasized that they do not want to be in every working body.
"When you don't have the right to vote, you don't get 'farmed' much. This solution needs to change," he said.
Bulatović agreed with the opposition that it is necessary to change the rules of procedure of the Capital City.
SEP councilor Jelena Knežević said that they had initiated amendments to the Decision on the Establishment of Working Bodies in the Parliament.
"It is very important that everyone has equal rights and that all subjects are equal. With our equal participation, the legitimacy of decisions would be greater. We have no possibility to decide during board meetings. These are things that contradict each other and I believe that if we want to make democratic strides, the ruling majority will show that it is ready to respect our voice," she assessed.
She said that the contribution of small parties is important, adding that "there are people sitting on this (opposition) side who could make their contribution."
"If people speak and their mouths are full of democracy, it is shown by actions, not empty words. I would appeal to you to consider both of our initiatives," said the SEP councilor.
Preokret councilor Srđan Perić said that the decision on the formation of working bodies in the Podgorica Assembly is not in dispute, but its implementation.
"Each of us citizens received support for a political idea. By respecting the Decision, this government deprived us of five council seats... Consistently implement the Decision that is in force. If you won't, then it is clear that you want the argument of 'naked' political force," said Perić.
Vešović told Perić that he "wants to profit politically from a story about which nothing can be done."
He also proposed forming a temporary working body to deal with changes to the rules of procedure, and added that the Capital, the Assembly and each party could nominate a member.
Borovinić Bojović promised that a working group would be formed that would work "extremely quickly, efficiently and dynamically".
European Union councilor Budimir Mugoša said that all councilors in the Assembly should have the same rights.
The discussion on amendments to the Rules of Procedure has been concluded.
Mitar Paunović (Democrats) said that his club would vote against the changes to the rules of procedure.
"I don't see anything controversial about the democratic legitimacy of parties. A certain political party has less legitimacy... You are not prevented from coming and expressing your views. The Nikšić Municipal Assembly has 41 councilors, so it is easier to do and does not produce consequences... I would not compare in any sense," said Paunović.
He said that SEP and Preokret have the right to participate in the work of the working bodies.
"We came to vote on the budget. Mr. Perić left the room because he thought we wouldn't have a quorum," he said.
Perić replied that "their behavior shows that they are 'political corporations.'" He stated that the problem arises when parties are stronger than the system.
"The change of legislation in Montenegro has been going on for years. I am a supporter of clear positions," he said.
Mugoša told Paunović that he did not understand the system.
Vešović said that the rules of procedure need to be changed.
"Podgorica has become a serious city in the past decade. It seems to me that councilors have become much more interested in their work in the past few years. We need to agree on how we will change the rules of procedure," he said.
The head of the European Union Councilors' Club, Miloš Mašković, pointed out that councilors are obliged to support changes to the rules of procedure of the Capital City Assembly.
"These are three relevant political entities that were elected by a significant number of Podgorica citizens. Through these changes to the rules of procedure, we can enable them to participate in the work. We are aware of the challenges in the functioning of the local parliament. These are two new councilor clubs and it would be important to establish such a practice...", said Mašković.
Councilor of the Europe Now Movement (PES), Vasilije Čarapić, said that the change in the rules of procedure should be the product of an agreement among councilors.
"I agree that there is a need to harmonize the political paradigm in terms of the rules of procedure... We have experienced firsthand how much of a battle it is on the political scene," Čarapić pointed out.
SEP councilor Ilija Mugoša said that the expert contribution of small parties is important for the timely functioning of parliament.
"Namely, the currently valid rules of procedure stipulate that a councilors' club consists of at least three councilors... We believe that clubs should be formed by smaller political entities. We are not inventing hot water... This is the case in Nikšić...", said Mugoša.
He believes that the initiative to amend the rules of procedure of the Capital City Assembly should be adopted.
"I propose that small changes improve the functioning of the system," Mugoša said.
Srđan Perić (Preokret) pointed out that the statute and rules of procedure of the Assembly should be changed.
"This house cannot suspend the rights granted by the constitution. We believe that this Assembly should be more dynamic," he stated.
DPS councilor Stefan Ćulafić said he remembers criticism from the opposition in 2023.
"When they adopted the Assembly Work Program in August. That was also taken into account... We, as a councilor's club, did not come across anything that we would have to add to the topic. As the Assembly sessions are convened, we will act proactively in the direction we think is necessary," he said.
The Secretary of the Capital City, Miloš Giljen, said that the DPS amendment to the budget that related to free transportation for pensioners was rejected and will not be on the agenda.
Miloš Krstović said that the Movement for Podgorica (PzP) will not give up on the proposal to subsidize bus transportation for pensioners.
"The only issue was the formal shortcomings, which, at that moment, prevented us from acting," he explained.
Bonus video:
