The discussion is over for today.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Nikola Camaj stated that he was adjourning and that the deputies would be informed about the continuation of the session.
Minister of Finance Novica Vuković explained that budgeting is a demanding component and its adoption requires commitment, and that the Ministry of Finance is focused on protecting citizens.
He stated that they were caught in the middle of unpaid obligations, both at the municipal, state and capital health levels...
"We have a 99 percent plan implementation, revenue realization and stable financing, revenues are 186 million euros higher than planned, and when you exclude one-offs, the level is increased by 334 million. This shows that one-off revenues are not the main source of financing. We are saying that after 'Europe Now 1 and 2' we have GDP growth compared to the EU average, that average salaries increased by over 2020 percent compared to 60, while inflation was 31 percent, that pensions increased by 35 percent, that the average salary was 524 euros and 1.012 euros in December," Vuković emphasized, adding that we are facing 3,5 billion euros of debt, and that it is being managed responsibly and that they have proposed what is possible.
Vuković said that they have included mature projects in the budget and that they will be in the Parliament to support the adoption of the budget, and that they do not like to be late.
Albanian Alliance MP Ilir Čapuni emphasized that Ulcinj is a forgotten point in budgets and governments, and that he hopes it will receive the attention it deserves.
He announced that he would submit amendments to the budget, namely for projects within Ulcinj and Bar.
The Albanian Forum stated that the successes of their work are available to all citizens.
Their MP Artan Çobi stated that they had worked hard to strengthen the Albanian people, and that the budget had allocated a record amount for municipalities where Albanians live. He emphasized that this money amounted to around 140 million euros.
Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Nikola Camaj stated that the parliament does not have a full-time translator for the Albanian language, and that the translator could not come because the budget was not adopted and therefore there was no signing of an employment contract.
"This is a good opportunity to point out that it is time to start looking at this logic of thinking in relation to minorities differently. There are more than 200 employees in our service and two Albanians, I am not saying that we should choose them because they are Albanians, but I also expect that this will be corrected. The budget is proof that this majority is thinking about investing in areas where minority peoples live," Camaj emphasized.
He pointed out that the adoption of the budget is the most important decision of the Parliament because it ensures the functioning of the state, healthcare, education, security...
Camaj added that it provides pensions and investments, so delaying it is to everyone's detriment and that the European path can only be stopped in this way.
Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Milan Knežević stated that the opposition's blockade led by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) had two goals: the release of former police official Zoran Lazović and former chief special prosecutor Milivoj Katnić through a decision of the Constitutional Court, which would be voted on by, among others, retired judge of that court, Dragana Đuranović.
"And that would be one of the first victories of the Kavač clan in the judiciary and political life. The second goal was to prevent the inquiry committee that would investigate the murders of Pavle Bulatović, Duško Jovanović, Slavoljub Šćekić and dozens of unsolved murders during the rule of Milo Đukanović and Duško Marković. The same Đukanović who in the coming days should become the honorary president of the DPS, in other words, to become a party deity to whom they will worship and make sacrifices, and when today someone talks about a reformed DPS, it is more honest for him to take a membership card, to bow to the deity and to continue to wander along the devious paths with them to where they wanted to bring Montenegro to the end," Knežević emphasized, adding that this is why Đukanović is noticeably nervous these days, who, as he claims, accuses them of a clerical-nationalist counter-revolution together with the Albanians, with the support of America for the interests of Russia.
Knežević asked what they had put in his drugs, so Đukanović made this construction. He stated that the smoke bombs and ballpoint pens were just a show, but that there was no blockade of parliament, and that there were now more of them in Washington than in Montenegro, and that they were regularly receiving their salaries and per diems.
"Come back to parliament, gentlemen. Come and let's negotiate if this is a sacred flag for you," said Knežević and raised the flag of the European Union.
He emphasized that there is always a dilemma whether it is developmental or social, and asked whether there will be a continuation of the second section of the highway.
He pointed out that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced the first shovel in September, but that he fears that the pickaxe will not be turned in September because the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Commission have requested the cancellation of the pre-qualification tender and the move to the main one.
"The extension of procedures without a clear analysis of what to expect from the Chinese, Turks and Azerbaijanis who applied for the pre-qualification tender. When this tender is cancelled, then those who were not in that tender will also be able to apply. This worries me greatly, although I want a strong partnership with the European Development Bank. Mr. Vuković, you owe it to Spajić and the director of Monteput to get clear information about what the European Development Bank and the commission's projection is regarding the second section, which costs 530 euros. If this goes the way I see it, I believe that we as a state must look for alternatives in the event that the European Bank and the commission postpone taking the shovel out of Spajić's car with a new extension, which he should use to start the works. Is it the creation of a domestic consortium where 'Bemax' would not be privileged, an arrangement through the privatization or sale of the Port of Bar, issuing it under concession, this should be proposed by the profession, the Government and everyone who is responsible for the project," he said, adding that it would be a big problem if the pre-qualification tender is cancelled, because the works will not start before 2026.
Knežević also asked Vuković about the high prices in supermarkets, and suggested organizing a Saturday when citizens would be able to freely fill their shopping baskets, because retailers are enormously rich. He stated that he would not be surprised if citizens started doing that.
Knežević stated that their stance on the budget will depend on Vuković's stance on the infrastructure requirements for Zeta.
Bosniak Party MP Mirsad Nurković said he hopes that the delay in the debate and adoption of the budget will not jeopardize the functionality of society and well-being. He stressed that the macroeconomic environment is stable and favorable, with preserved resilience and economic growth achieved in the past two years.
"The capital budget is planned at 280 million euros for the implementation of 342 projects, with a total estimated value of 3,66 billion euros. The planned funds for the Mateševo-Andrijevica highway project are planned at 100 million euros and we hope that this year we will see the start of work and that what happened last year will not happen. I hope that all obstacles have been removed and that this year it will be implemented," Nurković emphasized.
He also pointed out that the capital budget, excluding the highway, is at the level of 180 million euros - of which 70 million euros are planned for the north and another 20 million for infrastructure. Nurković stated that 50 percent of the budget is planned for that region, but that more must be invested in order for it to experience a renaissance. He claims that what has been taken away from the north so far cannot be replaced in one mandate.
"Let those people stay there. None of us from the north is happy when we have to look for work outside our doorstep, no one came to Podgorica and the coast because they liked it. That's why I'm asking for a special focus on the north," Nurković emphasized.
Democratic MP Boris Bogdanović emphasized that in recent days, one could hear how part of the parliament opposed the budget, because they started to remove the cobwebs and clean up the institutions. He recalled that a year ago, European integration was stopped, institutions were captured, the parliament was dysfunctional, the census was being avoided, tycoons were making decisions...
"Everything looked like a cage. We rolled up our sleeves and started fulfilling our European obligations, we achieved historic results, which was confirmed by the European Commission's report. We also brought in higher salaries, pensions, child benefits and children's textbooks, all in less than three years. So it's no longer a question of who is better, we've solved that puzzle, now it's just a question of whether you want to go back," he stressed.
Bogdanović said that the state belongs to the citizens and that they must never agree to kneel again, and that there is no going back, but neither is there forgetting.
New Serbian Democracy MP Dejan Đurović said that the budget is designed to provide direct stability through tax reforms and improved fiscal discipline, encouraging the private sector and foreign investment. He stressed that the previous 30-year government avoided increasing salaries and pensions, which created large groups of poor people and a gap between them and the rich.
"Regardless of GDP growth and economic forecasts that indicated the possibility of increasing standards, previous administrations did not focus enough attention on the needs of citizens, but on short-term political interests and goals. The current majority and the Government have shown a commitment to increasing the standards of citizens. The budget is responsible, sustainable and focused on growth and stability, we will work to ensure that every income is used in the right way. It is worth mentioning the 403 million euros that constitute a significant source of income and maintain a high cost for the consumption of certain products, such as energy, alcohol and cigarettes. If we compare this with previous years, we will clearly see that the problems with cigarette and alcohol smuggling have been reduced to a minimum and I hope that they will soon disappear completely," emphasized Đurović.
Đurović noted that the debts are large and must be repaid, and that he hopes that the second section of the highway will be completed transparently and to the highest standards. He added that the budget is evidence of a clear policy aimed at increasing standards, preserving social peace and supporting the economy.
Europe Now MP Dražen Petrić stated that the adoption of the budget is extremely important and that he believes they are not late. He emphasized that this document is the basis for fiscal stability and further economic growth, and that the consequence of its failure to adopt it is a reduced budget for capital projects.
"Within the growth plan for the Western Balkans, we expect 400 million euros, and if we do not adopt the budget and accompanying laws, we cannot expect that money. We have several billions to repay from the previous period and it is crucial that we have a favorable credit rating and credit rating. Last year's budget implementation was 99 percent, in November and December, revenues were 40 million euros higher than last year," said Petrić, adding that according to the data, Montenegro is fiscally stable.
He stressed that the parliamentary majority is committed to increasing the standards of citizens, and that this is the connective tissue of the majority. He added that there is a visible decline in inflation, an increase in purchasing power through higher salaries, and that the average salary has increased by more than 2020 percent in real terms since 20.
In his opening remarks, Finance Minister Novica Vuković said that it was time to get the opportunity, after several months, to present a budget that will improve the standard of living of citizens. He stated that the Montenegrin economy will grow due to domestic consumption, through private investments, and household consumption.
"Original revenues in 2025 are planned at 2,88 billion euros. Revenue growth is being achieved due to the increase in the collection of VAT, excise duties, income and profit taxes, fees from games of chance... Budget expenditures are at the level of 4,03 billion. The total amount of receipts of 4,03 billion is distributed among current 1,5 billion, state funds 1,3 billion euros, capital 280 million, financing transactions 886 million and reserves 43,5 million euros...", stated Vuković.
He added that 242 million euros were allocated for the transport sector, 474 million for healthcare, and 362 million for education, and that these items are larger than those planned for last year. Vuković also said that the decision on borrowing refers to 1,14 billion euros, and that it mostly refers to previous debts of 820 million euros and debts that are due this year.
"The plan is a debt of 900 million euros, for which we have already created a fiscal reserve and transferred the amount of 300 million, which served as support and provision of additional funds, precisely without expecting temporary financing. Because if 2023 had happened again, we could now be talking about a much worse situation and more irresponsible management, because the budget and the decision on debt were not allowed to be adopted, and therefore not allowed for institutions that have current obligations - which cannot wait," he said.
Vuković said that they have to work because the consequences are great.
The police are still present in parliament in large numbers today, but not in the corridors, but in many rooms.
The session in the Parliament of Montenegro continued, where the adoption of the state budget for this year should be discussed.
On the agenda are:
Proposal for the Law on the Budget of Montenegro for 2025;
Proposal for a decision on the indebtedness of Montenegro for the year 2025;
Proposal for a Law on Amendments to the Law on Budget and Fiscal Responsibility;
Draft Law on Consumer Credits;
Proposal for a Law on Amendments to the Law on Tax Administration;
Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on Payment Transactions;
Draft Law on Voluntary Pension Funds;
Proposal for a Law on the Ratification of the Agreement between Montenegro and the Principality of Andorra on the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Income Tax on Property and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance;
Draft Law on Ratification of the Agreement between Montenegro and the Republic of Albania on Social Insurance;
Proposal for a Law on Amendments to the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance;
Proposal for the Law on Amendments to the Law on the National Security Agency;
Proposal for a Law on Amendments to the Law on State Property;
Proposal for a Law on Amendments to the Law on Construction Products;
Draft Law on Ratifying the Agreement on the Establishment of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C);
Draft Law on the ratification of amendments to the Multilateral Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, the Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Iceland, Montenegro, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Serbia and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo on the establishment of a European Common Aviation Area;
Draft Law on Ratification of the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Government of Hungary, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Government of Montenegro, the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia regarding cooperation and coordination in the field of search and rescue in civil aviation.
Europe Now Movement (PES) MP Miodrag Laković announced last night on the Reflektor show on Vijesti Television that the Parliament will discuss the budget at a session scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, February 5) at 14 p.m., while the opposition, after being ordered to leave the sessions yesterday, has not revealed what their next steps are.
DON'T MISS IT
Bonus video:
