DF claims a bargain with Krivokapić before the vote

The Democratic Front (DF) asked for new consultations with Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, which is one of the reasons why the bill on the budget for this year will not be voted on in the parliament by the end of this week, it was confirmed to "Vijesta" from several sources in the ruling coalition.

At the plenum yesterday, the discussion in principle on the draft law ended, during which the Democrats and the SNP announced that they would vote for the Government's proposal, while the amendments have yet to be considered.

The DF said that their position will depend on the agreement with the Government on "certain issues", among which are the population census and the provision of money for mothers' benefits.

The plan of the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare, led by Minister Milojko Spajić, is to start implementing the budget on June 1 of this year, while temporary funding has been in effect since the beginning of the year.

The Minister pointed out yesterday that the budget proposal is sound, responsible, without reducing salaries, pensions, and social benefits. He called on everyone to understand the depth of the crisis the country is facing.

"The country is a convalescent that has received an infusion and needs to recover. This is a year of recovery and not everything can be done at once", said Spajić. He emphasized that he came to serve the state and citizens. "Whoever doesn't like it, let him overthrow the government. We do everything according to the law," said Spajić.

Rootless squash

Slaven Radunović (DF) said that "they have to push the Government out of the parliament" which pretends that it is not the year of the population census. He believes that the epidemiological situation should not be an excuse because the country is opening up all summer. "My assessment is that the census cannot take place before November 1 and there are conditions for it to take place. We submitted an amendment to provide Monstat with one million euros for the preparation of the census if there is political will. And, believe me, there is no other way than to push the Government out of the parliament", said Radunović, adding that there is "more to do within the complicated budget". He said that he understood the transition to temporary financing, but when March 31 was already waiting, there was enough time for the Government to consult them.

"You are behaving like a gourd without a root, and your root is here in the parliament. You didn't ride in from space and become a minister. You are chosen in this hall. You have to cooperate with us, it's not cooperation just to meet, talk and agree on something and then not honor it," said Radunović to the minister. He said that they submitted the amendment to see what can be found in the budget for compensation for mothers. That was the pre-election promise of the ruling coalition.

Total budget receipts together with deposits are projected at 2,446 billion euros, of which receipts are two billion. Original revenues are planned at 1,87 billion, and expenditures at two billion. The budget deficit is projected at 139 million, the capital budget at 203 million, the current budget reserve at around 75 million, while the missing funds are projected at 575 million.

Questionable income

During the discussion, the majority of deputies questioned the achievement of the revenue side of the budget by filling it with an increase in excise taxes, income from illegally acquired property and the expected 700 million from tourism.

"Expecting 700 million euros from tourism, several tens of millions from the increase in excise taxes and about 40 million from illegally acquired property is adventurism," said SD MP Damir Šehović. Raško Konjević (SDP) said that income from illegal property is planned, but there is no law.

"Where is the law for you? You promised him first when you came to power. Instead, you opted for excise taxes. We will see if there will be further growth of the gray market. Don't make the mistakes of DPS from 2018," Konjević said. The Democrats assessed that the goal of the budget is to create assumptions for faster economic recovery. "This budget proposal is the basis for the stability of the Government and public finances and is optimal as far as possible, because the financial desolation was inherited", stressed Momo Koprivica (Democrats).

SNP leader Vladimir Joković said that this is a "trial year to save what can be saved" and that the budget should be supported.

Miloš Konatar (URA) assessed that the most difficult task that anyone could be given is the preparation of the budget proposal for 2021, that the situation is difficult and that teamwork is needed, while Ervin Ibrahimović (BS) said that the budget is transparent, has a social component, but more money was needed for the development of the north in order to valorize the potential there.

Đurović: Whose house is nobody's house

DF MP Dejan Đurović asked Spajić how he came up with the calculation that 40 million will be earned from illegally acquired property and what about the bill that was announced for the spring.

"It is very difficult to include this money in the budget. In this part of illegally acquired property, start with nobody's house and let everyone find out whose house it is," said Đurović.

Đurović alluded to a building built in the Gorica neighborhood in Podgorica, which is linked to the President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović.

He said that the achievement of 700 million in tourism revenue is questionable, and that if we reach 50 percent from 2019, it will be good.

Report violations of the law

DF MP Nebojša Medojević he repeated the well-known accusations against Spajić that he violates legal procedures, that he is corrupt...

"If I were the state prosecutor, I would immediately arrest the finance minister," Medojević said.

Spajić replied that he was surprised by the amount of untruths Medojević was telling about him.

"We met once, and then I told you that you were a role model when you appeared in the 90s, and you told me that when the government was formed, you had to attack me. If I broke the law, file a criminal complaint," Spajić said.