Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Mirsad Nurković said that the debate was over for today, and that he would inform the deputies about the continuation of the session.
Europe Now Movement (PES) MP Dane Marković said that citizens today have higher incomes than countries in the region and that he hopes that this year will be as successful as last year.
He emphasized that the opposition's predictions about reducing salaries and pensions, borrowing, and selling part of state property, that Montenegro is facing a Greek scenario, and that the Government has endured everything and continues to work.
Jelenka Andrić from the same parliamentary group pointed out that Bijelo Polje received quasi-projects that were not implemented over the years. She emphasized that the budget is a bridge between citizens and the state.
Socialist People's Party MP Bogdan Božović added that pensions and salaries will be higher after 2020, while Montenegro resembled a fiefdom before that. He added that higher tax and excise collection is planned, as well as more money from games of chance, and that he believes the budget is the foundation for future development.
"We proposed in the amendment the reconstruction of the road in Kuči, to provide documentation for the reconstruction of the western stand of the Zabjelo Football Club...", stated Božović.
Europe Now Movement MP Miloš Pižurica stated that citizens previously lived in difficulty with high taxes, while financial stabilization began in 2020, with strong momentum from last year.
He added that budget revenues have been carefully planned, while the average salary is higher than in some EU countries for the first time.
Democratic Montenegro MP Albin Ćeman added that finances are stable, that the deficit will remain at a level of 3,3 percent in the next three years, and that public debt averages 61 percent of gross domestic product, which is slightly above the criteria from the Maastricht Agreement.
"Yesterday I received good news that doctors doing residency abroad have for the first time received an increased compensation for separated living of 660 euros, which was previously 330 euros and has not been increased since 2009," Ćeman said, adding that he promised to look for a model to increase compensation for those who do their specialization in Montenegro but outside their place of residence.
New Serbian Democracy (NSD) MP Milica Rondović stated that the blockade of budget adoption briefly halted project financing, but also that this step would freeze capital investments.
She emphasized that the capital budget is 15 percent higher, and the consumption budget is seven percent higher, and that the biggest challenges are the judiciary, education, science, and sports, and that more money is planned for all items.
Europe Now Movement (PES) MP Jovan Subotić stated that this is a budget of continuity, which corrects the injustices of the past and creates conditions for a new investment cycle.
Subotić referred to the problems of the Igalo Institute and added that this institution is the backbone of the state and the Municipality of Herceg Novi, and that the Government has decided to help and save the Institute.
"In this budget, we have 32 million euros for the Igalo Institute. This is a big boost for the economy of Herceg Novi and social peace. We will have to dedicate a lot of money to the south, and we are still struggling with basic problems, such as transport infrastructure. It is very important that the budget is adopted also because of the EU's growth plan, which wants us, and we spent two months in torches and human walls, instead of solving problems," Subotić pointed out.
He added that project implementation will have to be intensive throughout the year.
Democratic Montenegro MP Momčilo Leković stated that it was time to discuss the budget, but also that in addition to previous state budgets, there were other parallel ones.
He said that they were used by those who would be prosecuted.
"So we had a budget in the account of the fugitive police officer Milović of 48 million, a budget in the accounts of the Đukanović family, from what we heard from the media, at least 167 million euros. These parallel budgets created empires, we had cocaine, tobacco, criminal and many others. The remnants of empires are protesting in the streets today because they know that there are no more parallel budgets, magic tricks. I really can't understand someone trying to block a vital act of a state, but maybe when we look at everything, it will be clear to us. I have prepared 40 cents, to be the founding capital of a state-owned company, but on the condition that we hire the economic magician Blaž Đukanović, who already had experience with these things, who managed to create 40 million euros in a few months from 12 cents, or a million euros per month," Leković said, adding that this economic ability should be used.
Europe Now Movement (PES) MP Branka Marković stated that the failure to adopt the budget will hit those most vulnerable, including children, the elderly, mothers with three or more children...
Marković stated that what happened during the rule of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has not been forgotten, and that the state belongs to the citizens.
He claims that the 44th Government achieved historic results, but the blockade of the Parliament's work stopped payments for the most vulnerable categories.
"Such irresponsibility not only harms citizens but also threatens the financial stability of the state and the trust of international partners. If the budget had not been adopted, investments would have been stopped, including 400 million euros from the EU in the development plan for the Western Balkans. The budget is not a political weapon, but the key to Montenegro's development," Marković stated, adding that the government's work has also improved the country's credit rating.
Bosniak Party (BS) MP Jasmin Ćorović said that the budget should be focused on balanced regional development, and that the north was previously neglected while the region is under the impact of population emigration.
Therefore, he appeals for special attention to be paid to this part of the country, and especially to the valorization of the ski resort on Bjelasica and tourism in Đalovića Cave.
New Serbian Democracy (NSD) MP Marko Kovačević emphasized that he was pleased that the projects in Nikšić found a place in the capital budget.
As he said, due to the failure to adopt the budget, his amendments could not be considered properly, but that this document included - a project to improve the water supply of Župa Nikšićka, the adaptation of the hospital in Brezovik, the hospital kitchen at the Nikšić General Hospital, the construction of a fire and rescue center...
"The Municipality of Nikšić is working efficiently and I have submitted amendments for more important projects for Nikšić, namely the construction of the Autism Center, the reconstruction of the Rubeža-Vučje road, the reconstruction of the road through the village of Valosave, and the reconstruction of the Sports Center hall. We have employed over 5.000 Nikšić residents in the last three years," said Kovačević, adding that they are satisfied with the budget.
It was also heard from the parliamentary benches of the Europe Now Movement (PES) that numerous investments in healthcare are planned, including the renovation of the anesthesiology clinic of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, the expansion of the Health Center in Ulcinj, the reconstruction of the special hospital in Risan, and the start of construction of a hospital in the Podgorica neighborhood of Siti Kvart.
PES MP Dragana Vučević stated that the largest investments will be in road infrastructure, the largest of which is the extension of the Bar-Boljare highway. She added that a gymnasium will be built in Andrijevica, as well as another facility of that type in that municipality.
Democratic Party of Montenegro MP Nikola Rovčanin stated that more than 35 years have passed since the average salary in Montenegro had three zeros at the end. He added that data is not needed to compare Montenegro's period under the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), and that things are better today, as confirmed by pensioners, workers, children...
"Today, every citizen can clearly and publicly express their position, without consequences. Let us remember the period of DPS rule when the most brutal measures were taken for the spoken word. This budget is a measure of the possible, I think it is well balanced. I think the 15 percent increase in capital investments is good and with this formula both citizens and the state have won. I am pleased with the investment plan and undertaking for the north of Montenegro, after the dramatic results from the census," Rovčanin said, adding that he is satisfied with the projects in Pljevlja.
When it comes to debt, he emphasized that the level of debt relative to GDP has been reduced, but also that prices in markets are linked to the desire for profit of traders.
"Does the profit of large retailers have to be 200 percent compared to 2020? The chains have lived through the most difficult times, this is an appeal to retail chains to share the burden of citizens and reduce prices," said Rovčanin.
Europe Now Movement (PES) MP Armen Šehović stated that the budget is the most important document, and reminded of the increased growth in salaries, pensions and purchasing power of citizens. He emphasized that inflation is the result of global economic trends and not bad policies.
"This Government, through a successful action to limit prices, reduced inflation, which was the lowest in the region. The Government allocated money for the Municipality of Plav for several projects of road reconstruction, the city market, the Nursing Home, and the construction of a radiology department. Plav has been building and working, which has not been done before, and it has taken on the appearance of a modern urban city," said Šehović, adding that he believes that new projects will also bring benefits to tourism and opportunities for young people.
He pointed out that last year the Government allocated more than two and a half million euros for investments in Plav, but this was not supported by the representatives of the local authorities, the Social Democrats and the Democratic Party of Socialists, who did not support the budget and investment in that city. He stated that it is clear who is working in the interests of that city.
Members of the Parliament of Montenegro continued their debate today on the Draft Budget Law for 2025.
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