Democratic Montenegro called on the authorities not to increase the fee for subsidizing electricity production from renewable sources, because, as its vice-president Vladimir Martinović said, it is immoral and economically unfounded.
"We are warning the public that an additional increase in fees is being prepared at the expense of budget payers and we urge that the fee for subsidizing electricity production should not be increased even by chance," said Martinović at the press conference.
He added that the legitimacy of the latest fee increase is questionable, because it is based on the published projection that this year there will be an increase in production in those energy facilities.
"Production decreased by around five million kilowatt hours despite the fee increase, and in August it was produced ten times less than last year," said Martinović.
He said that the Democrats will not allow privileged producers to be co-owners of Montenegro and its future.
"In an even regulated state, it must happen that incentive measures and the overall environment in the area of using new and renewable energy sources are recognized as healthy, incentive measures appropriate for the market economy and aligned with the strategic direction of the state's development," said Martinović.
He believes that it is necessary for companies to provide safe business conditions, instead of being financed "over the backs" of citizens.
"Stealing from citizens is a dishonest attitude of the Government, because citizens do not know to whom, nor why they pay subsidies, nor what benefits they get from it. So far, citizens have paid 4,7 million euros to the owners of mini power plants who are exclusively connected to the top of the government," said Martinović.
He added that this subsidy essentially represents payment under duress.
"It does not create a strong incentive for privileged producers who have guaranteed compensation from the state to organize production in a way that will reduce costs to the lowest possible level. Subsidizing them demotivates them to improve production and dynamic efficiency. Why would they dedicate themselves to lowering costs, innovating the offer and industrial organization if they have secure income from citizens' payments", said Martinović.
He believes that a market-oriented economy cannot rest on the favoring of companies, but that it is obvious that a specific capitalist feudalism is gradually being introduced in Montenegro, with a new rich clique supported by the citizens.
"We have witnessed that in most cases, during the awarding of concessions and the construction of mini-power plants, a crime against nature is committed and no consideration is given to respect for basic ecological standards, the preservation of the existing natural environment, the risks that may occur in the environment by changing the regime of water use, and the vital interests of the local population. This is just an additional confirmation that concession beneficiaries are favorites of the regime", concluded Martinović.
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