The session resumed after the second break.
Assembly President Jelena Borovinić Bojović said that tonight they will discuss up to the ninth item, namely the Proposal for a Decision on the erection of a memorial by erecting a memorial bust to Sula Radov. The continuation, as she announced, will be tomorrow at 10 am.
The discussion on the memorial bust of Sula Radov has been postponed until tomorrow, because the proponent's representatives are not present.
Jelena Knežević (SEP) welcomed Mujović's inclusion in the Youth Council.
"I believe that holding ten mandatory sessions is very important and significant. I believe that the formation of the Council, where we will have four members, may not be complete. I am concerned about the fact that the largest percentage of young people work in the gray zone. This implies that they have a very poor economic union. I believe that this union should include representatives of the academic and business communities... We must open space for different opinions, because that is how we will have a democratic society," said Knežević, adding that vulnerable categories must be included in the community.
Mirjana Radulović (DPS) said that she was glad that "we are inheriting youth."
"The formation of the Youth Council represents an important step towards the institutional inclusion of young people. This will encourage the active civic and political involvement of young people. It will open up space for dialogue with local self-government and they will exercise their rights," she said.
She said that young people lack space to gather, and added that they were not represented in decision-making. The problems, she said, are brain drain and youth unemployment. She believes that the space for young people to gather is very limited.
"We need to promote the promenade along the Morača River, Skaline, our shores... Our young people love to watch a classic theater play... I wholeheartedly support young people, their place and affirmation."
Klikovac said that he is glad that the Capital City is discussing the introduction of an electronic seal, but he is concerned about the pace.
Anđušić said that the existing Decision on the Youth Council has proven to be dysfunctional.
"This decision is being changed for reasons of participation. The Youth Council existed on paper. No session was ever held, nor were minutes of the Youth Council session made. That was the motive for expanding the Council's activities," said Anđušić.
Adi Jakupović (DPS) said that the youth of the capital are the future.
"These are also those who come from other parts of Montenegro and change their place of residence. They thereby become the youth of the capital and must not be neglected."
He said that the capital has had many cases of peer violence. He pointed out that he knows that rising prices affect tuition fees. He also claims that prices will increase at many universities.
"The amount of scholarships is not enough. The youth of the Capital City must be provided with an adequate multimedia space in which they can become familiar with modern information technologies," said Jakupović.
Mašković (European Union) said that he was pleased with the initiative to establish a Council for Youth and Education Policy.
"In this way, the Assembly shows young people that it cares about their position and that it is improving it. That is what is good and what we will definitely support," he said.
Šturanović (DPS) emphasized that she would support the establishment of this council and added that the opposition has always listened to the ideas of young people.
Mirjana Radulović (DPS) said that she would like young people to show how creative they are, but that she is also afraid that politics has taken them under its wing.
Klikovac (DPS) said that he would support the decision to establish the Council for Youth and Education Policy.
Mugoša (SEP) said that UNICEF research showed that youth unemployment in Montenegro was 40 percent.
"According to that research, 72 percent of young people live with their parents. Participation in the decision-making process, young people do not see their contribution in it. Another problem is the economic position of young people."
Tamara Crnogorčić (PES) said that young people are a force and a driver.
"Podgorica has officially submitted its candidacy for the European Youth Capital. This testifies to the clear political will for Podgorica to become a European Youth Capital. And Podgorica is a youth capital."
Preokret councilor Mirza Krnić said that the number of employees at "Vodovod" was previously higher.
"The solution is to protect the resources this company has. The solution is good management and innovation."
Perić (Preokret) emphasized that the solution for "Vodovod" is completely opposite to what is being done now.
Klikovac congratulated the parliamentary majority for including an opposition decision on the agenda, adding that it was "a big step forward for them."
"The vote is very important so that we know the strategic path of voting for local companies in Podgorica... If some investors intended to invest in 'Vodovod', they were not welcome," the DPS councilor assessed.
Ćulafić said that there is an intention to privatize "Vodovod", which is the responsibility of the local government.
"From 2022, 'Vodovod' will start operating with a deficit. The losses we are talking about are a sure path to bankruptcy, which is not necessarily a bad thing. When we talk about the number of employees, it would be said that 'Vodovod' has hundreds of redundant employees. Something is happening there... Other city companies are also at stake. Not all companies must be the result of bad privatizations," said Ćulafić.
Perić (Pokret Preokret) said that the path to privatization is identical everywhere.
"Pests are not sanctioned. There is a general practice of not resenting. The capital city is responding to this by rewarding officials with additional income, a larger amount...", he assessed.
Šturanović (DPS) said that a provision should be added that would prohibit the privatization of all companies owned by the Capital City. She reminded that city companies are of vital importance for the daily lives of citizens.
Perić said that there was arbitrariness in Montenegro, not the rule of law.
"There is no concrete answer when you ask for specific quotes. It is a matrix from which, unfortunately, we cannot escape. The measure of protection is to become a country of the rule of law that we constantly talk about... Legal certainty becomes strong when the resistance to arbitrariness is so strong that it stops."
Popović said that the Law on Communal Activities "clearly states that a local government unit performs communal activities of general interest."
"If the Constitution defines that water is a public good, the privatization of 'Vodovod' is impossible. The Law on Communal Activities gives the regulatory agency the authority to issue licenses to utility companies. I raised this issue at the time (in 2017)... It is impossible for anyone to privatize the utility company 'Vodovod'," Popović pointed out.
Mašković (European Union) said that the Law on Communal Activities does not explicitly prohibit the privatization of utility companies. He said that it is good to talk about Perić's initiative, and that it is useful "especially in light of the events surrounding the Velika Plaza in Ulcinj."
"It is important to note that in the previous period we had statements about a possible bankruptcy in 'Vodovod', which leads us to think that privatization could be pursued, and that is why I support Perić's initiative to discuss this topic today, in parliament."
Zdenka Popović (Democrats) said that the Law on Communal Activities prohibited the privatization of any water utility company.
"A clear line is being drawn. A distinction is being drawn between local and water supply companies that are formed in elite tourist destinations... If someone who builds a tourist complex anywhere invests their own funds, they can obtain a license from the Regulatory Agency for Energy and Utilities and it is understood that it is their private utility company. I am surprised by the fact that we can talk about the possibility of privatizing local water supplies because every local government has invested in water supply infrastructure. It is impossible to privatize such companies," said Popović.
She emphasized that water must belong to everyone and no one should privatize these companies.
Bulatović (DNP) told Klikovac that he was glad that he was concerned about city companies, and added that it would have been good if, while the opposition was in power, this concern had been present.
Klikovac said that the debt in "Putevi" exceeds three million, adding that the company took out a loan from a bank.
The councilors are currently discussing the third item on the agenda - the Proposal for a Decision on Amendments to the Statute of the Capital City.
Srđan Perić (Preokret) said that "drinking water is a basic human right and it must be available to everyone." He emphasized that the privatization of "Vodovod" must be prevented and added that "there were talks about it from three directions."
"If 'Vodovod' is declared bankrupt, it could be a step towards privatization. You cannot then prohibit anyone from handing over the bankruptcy estate."
Klikovac (DPS) said that the opposition's position is clear when it comes to the privatization of "Water Supply and Sewerage".
"It is clear that these types of infrastructure should be completely independent of any foreign influences... It is important that we inform the citizens of Podgorica about the intentions, as well as the citizens employed by 'Vodovod'. There is some plan, as there was for Velika Plaža much earlier. We do not even know whether Podgorica's 'Vodovod' was offered to some Alabaru," said Klikovac.
He said that the Government of Montenegro should help the local "Vodovod" "to solve these problems."
"But there is no privatization. The message to private investors is clear - don't come to 'Vodovod'," he said.
Perić (Preokret) emphasized that directors must do their job, and that they should not hesitate to fire workers.
"During the DPS period, 'Vodovod' had positive results, and now it is in the red. The executive director should resign... The whole story with 'Vodovod' is that the company cannot be left like this. Either replace the people or appoint experts," Perić told the councilors, emphasizing that they would abstain from voting on the decision to take over the debt of "Vodovod".
Arsović (DPS) said that the Capital City is trying to help "Vodovod", but that he does not know what the company is doing about its problem.
"It is worrying that you have a reduction in the number of engineers. When five or six hydro engineers leave your company, it is the result of a bad attitude towards them. The damage has been done and I am sure that it will be difficult to replace and correct it," he believes.
Arsović said that they lost the hydro engineers because they had a bad relationship with them.
Ilija Mugoša (SEP) said that the work program of "Vodovod" is based on "totally incorrect data".
"There was no decrease in the number of employees, but an increase in costs. Receivables are at the level of approximately five million euros... And electricity was used that way. Some were able to pay, and some were not," he said.
He emphasized that "Vodovod" "cannot be privatized under any circumstances."
"We will be constructive and will make concrete proposals. As the Party of European Progress, we will be reserved about the debt, although we are aware that it must happen."
Mićović asked Klikovac where he got the information that "Vodovod" was being sold. She said that his sources were unreliable.
"This administration is tackling problems until it finds a solution...", Mićović emphasized.
Klikovac said that "Mr. Zoran Korać talked with the founders of PES" about the privatization of "Vodovod".
"We are waiting for you to propose ideas. We are here for difficult decisions. Successful companies buy companies when they are in trouble. Valuable assets are then worth less... As for 'Vodovod' - we had a fair discussion that we would support this decision. The short-term liabilities of all city companies in these two years have increased by 14,4 million euros."
After five hours, the councilors finished discussing the Proposal for a Decision on Local Communities. They are now discussing the Proposal for a Decision on the assumption of part of the debt based on the credit indebtedness of the company "Vodovod i kanalizacija".
PES councilor Anđela Mićović said that "we are faced with a point that may seem like a financial issue."
"These are basic living conditions. 'Water and Sewerage' has been facing serious financial difficulties for a long time. The company is unable to meet its credit obligations... Despite the efforts of management and employees, it is clear that without the intervention of the Capital City, the stability of this company cannot be preserved," Mićović assessed.
She said that "this is not an act of saving the administration," but a necessary measure.
Klikovac said he was concerned that short-term liabilities had increased by 3,7 million euros.
"The situation is alarming. The payment of salaries to the employees of that company is questionable, not to mention taxes... The average number of employees has been reduced from 578 to 552," he assessed.
He appealed to Mujović to make "painful decisions" for "Vodovod" and similar companies.
"There are ideas about privatization. I wish they were not true. You will have difficult decisions... In these two years, the obligations of companies have almost doubled. When you have a situation where the Montenegrin economy is growing by only three percent, then you know that we are not in the process of reaching the European Union (EU) standard of living," said the head of the DPS councilors' club, adding that the opposition will support this decision.
Klikovac appealed that it's all a matter of approach.
"It is very commendable that you rarely use the official car (Mujović) and the whole of Podgorica can see it. Directors are competing to get vehicles through the state administration. Why is that? It will not reduce the debt of 'Vodovod', but the attitude is approachable."
Anđušić said that provocations "are not her style," adding that she has been in the city parliament for two years and is there to "always answer all the councilors' questions."
"Because of the citizens - there are 40 local communities. It's a very complex system," she said.
Anđušić said that the decision did not prescribe a representative sample for the survey.
"Regarding the statement that the meeting did not say that the previous situation was not good, you know that after the first meeting we made minutes. We were not alone, but all members of the commission were present. We agreed on a public statement that the situation was not good and that we would improve it through the Decision on Local Communities."
He believes that the Decision on Local Communities represents an open door for citizens.
DPS councilor Stefan Šaponjić said that many local communities "may lose their existence with this decision."
"And that would not be good in practice. I am asking for the study to be done in a better way, just so that citizens who have the energy to be in certain communities can give their contribution. Questions arise as to whether we will be able to create large or too large MZs, which may not be so bad," said Šaponjić.
Klikovac said that the Decision on Local Communities would bring legal uncertainty to the citizens of Podgorica. He added that due to the unconvincing arguments, the opposition would not vote for it.
Mašković said that this is "a political project par excellence".
"Because we were not allowed to exchange opinions with the departmental secretary. If this were not a political project, but a legally valid business, I believe that you (Anđušić) could have confronted us with facts that are different from what we said. There is no democracy here. We have an apparent one, demonstrated by the parliamentary...", said the European Union councilor.
The councilors continued their discussion after a 50-minute break.
Vladan Arsović reacted to Mujović's statement that the opposition's intentions are dishonorable.
Mujović told him that life was "too short to re-educate him."
"Dishonest or dishonest are words with which I can cover what concerns Mr. Ćulafić and his truth. If you are spreading information that is contrary to the truth, I think those intentions are not good... Dishonest, tendentious or malicious, replace it as you like, in essence the intention is the same."
Arsović said that cooperation between local authorities and the opposition will be difficult to achieve.
Ljiljana Maraš (Democrats) said that many priorities in the local government were not being addressed as they deserved.
"The city administration should prioritize the balanced development of local communities, all with the goal of improving the lives of citizens. Most local communities were places where civic initiative was stifled. That's why they didn't serve their purpose. Their activation will restore trust in local self-government," believes Maraš.
Mayor Saša Mujović said that his function is difficult and demanding.
He said that it is difficult to satisfy the opposition's demands "if you know that their intentions are not honorable."
"My postulate is true. I have never in my life adorned myself with other people's feathers. I have not bought points, nor lied. They said that I was a planted candidate for mayor who came to disguise others. I claimed it then and I said - from this moment on, I am exclusively interested in Podgorica. That gives me enough credibility that what I stand behind is really so."
He said that he "knows very well what he said" when it comes to the works on Vojislavljevića Boulevard.
"I completely agree with many of the comments. Something new is being introduced, we are entering a new story and there are many open questions. I am very much looking forward to Ms. Andjušić's response. I think we have taken everything into account."
Mujović said that he would like the discussion not to veer towards "plots and behind-the-scenes actions."
Opposition councilor Ksenija Aranitović reminded that "we have been listening to the story about local communities for two whole years." She asked who would adopt and arrange the statues of local communities. She was also interested in who would determine the local community's study.
"Article 11 of the establishment of a local community stipulates that a local community can be established by merger. It can, logically, be expanded or reorganized. It seems to me that this is a fundamental legal inconsistency... Article 16 delimitation of local communities, because it disputes the right of citizens to determine the boundaries of the community themselves... Based on which law do local communities have the authority to keep records of citizens?"
The bodies and the president of the Council are, according to Aranitović, the most confusing parts of the Decision on the Establishment of Local Communities.
Jelena Milošević (For the Future of All of Us) believes that the councilors have destroyed something in advance that has not come to life.
"If we give this proposal a chance, it will prove to be a good one."
Srđan Perić (Preokret) said that the Decision on Local Communities was a missed opportunity for open democracy.
"Democracy is based on that - one man, one vote. Unfortunately, this could have been much better. A government that excludes half of the community from decision-making is inefficient and poor. And it can never progress."
He said that the text of the decision does not address the way they are made. He believes that we should have more smaller local communities.
"The municipality needs to show some kind of openness. Local community presidents must have a minimum of two councilors' compensation per month... You have entered institutional chaos. You have Minister Maraš Dukaj and his proposed concept of the Law on Local Elections. He does not emphasize the local community president, but the council, and for you the choice of council is insufficiently elaborated," believes Perić.
Maša Šturanović (DPS) said that issues of elections are being raised at the local community level and that this requires large investments, additional capacities, clearly prescribed procedures...
"Local self-government does not have sufficient capacity to organize local elections in more than 30 MZs. Citizens' assemblies sound attractive on paper, but in practice they are difficult to achieve in urban areas like Podgorica. Past experience shows that citizens' assemblies have had a low turnout...".
Šutranović asked how the MZ would ensure stable funding and professional staff for its work.
"Instead, the government is using this proposal as a propaganda tool," said Šturanović.
She criticized the government for using local communities as tools for political showdowns, emphasizing that they must be a place of cooperation between citizens regardless of their views.
Mirza Krnić (Preokret) asked Paunović about the Zabjelo and Velje brdo local communities and if he knew what condition they were in.
Paunović said that around 350.000 euros were invested in the property of the Capital City.
Dragutin Vučinić said that the Decision on Local Communities restores the right of citizens to participate in the work and creation of their future, as well as their environment. He expressed his hope that this will initiate positive changes in the city.
Vladimir Bulatović (For the Future of Podgorica - NSD - SCG - PCG) said that "this city government is achieving a great goal - introducing democracy in local communities."
"Some local communities were neglected, semi-privatized by the former government... I think it is in everyone's interest that local communities not be branches of DPS, PES, or any other party, but that they be returned to the citizens."
Stefan Ćulafić (DPS) asked Bulatović to clarify who the citizens who will elect representatives to the Local Community Councils are.
"Where will it be recorded which people will vote? I welcome the introduction of direct democracy, but I need to know some basics about it."
Mitar Paunović (Democrats) claims that there were two cannon shells and one hand grenade in the offices of the Lijeva Rijeka local community.
"The offices of that local community were ruined. Chairs and windows were broken, and furniture was overturned."
He showed photographs showing that the Durres community center was in ruins. He also showed a photograph showing "a picture of Milo Đukanović with the tricolor flag."
He appealed for the practice to continue through the Property Directorate, in the form of recourse lawsuits.
"The most important victory is that the place where the cafe used to be in the 'Donja Gorica' local community is now a kindergarten and that there will be a youth club in the 'Ubli' local community. The city service produces a small or big victory every day... In light of everything, the Democratic Montenegro councilors' club will welcome this decision," said Paunović.
Klikovac told Paunović that there was covert filming in the "Kotor" local community, after which the footage was shown "in some shows."
He told Paunović that he had "applied labels too much", adding that "everyone will get a label".
Paunović asked Klikovac "where is Duško Marković".
"I'll ask where Svetozar Marović is. Where do they have this information, considering that they're asking me and Aleksa Bečić, who was 13 years old in the XNUMXs, about these things."
Bonus video:
