The Democratic People's Party (DNP), as one of the constituents of the Democratic Front (DF), will affirm opposition unity, and one of the principles of that party will be the institutional change of the current regime, said the president of the DNP, Milan Knežević.
Today, at the First Congress of that party, he said that no one can extinguish the "light of resistance" of the Montenegrin people.
"We will work on affirming opposition unity and finding an optimal functioning model that will be based on respect for diversity and finding a common denominator, which is the institutional change of the current regime and the DF was founded on these principles," said Knežević in the Old Government Building.
He said that the DF and the DNP, as part of that political alliance, have no reason to worry about their political future, but rather to go even stronger to win freedom on a wave of determination.
"DNP will never be a party in the first person singular, but will always be in the first person plural." We will be, because without you all this would not make sense", Knežević said.
He believes that the DF, as the strongest opposition alliance of political parties, was formed at a time when Montenegro was at a historical crossroads, "turned into a captive, semi-private state with high corruption, organized crime, a destroyed economy, increased poverty with a weak and disunited opposition that was not able, and some did not even want to oppose the current regime".
"Time confirmed the correctness of our decisions. After 2012, nothing will be the same in Montenegro," said Knežević.
He said that the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) then achieved the "worst" election result since its existence, winning 30 mandates.
"If there had been wisdom and courage in the opposition then, and if the key political subjects had grouped themselves in the DF, I responsibly claim that the opposition would have formed the Government today," Knežević claims.
According to him, together with the other constituents of the DF, the DNP leads a sincere and fair fight against the regime, respecting the differences that are few and insisting on the similarities that brought them together.
"Additional tone to our actions was given by the recent president of the DF, Miodrag Lekić, with whom we had concrete cooperation throughout all election cycles," said Knežević.
He explained that cooperation with Lekić was a valuable experience and that the DF is grateful to him for that, saying that the political alliance continues to fight against the current regime.
At the Congress, a telegram was read from the protore, Velibor Džomić, who, as announced, supports the DNP
Knežević announced that he will soon embark on a strongly organized campaign of visiting Montenegrin cities, in order to establish further courses of action in direct communication.
"If citizens are in favor of organizing peaceful protests, which would lead to fair and democratic elections, we are obliged to stand in front of them and take public responsibility for democratic changes," said Knežević.
He assessed that the current fragmentation of the opposition scene and emphasized petty party calculations and the "vanities of quasi-leaders" are confusing the opposition public, and that the role of DF and DNP, as its constituents, is gaining weight.
As he stated, the referendum on May 21 was brutally stolen, which, he believes, caused the current semi-private state to be created and those who voted for a joint state with Serbia to be considered internal enemies and second-class citizens.
"We will advocate that the Serbian language, as the majority, be standardized as official in the Constitution, for the affirmation of religious freedom and the protection of the property of the Montenegrin littoral metropolis and its clergy, which is exposed to persecution and Golgotha," said Knežević.
DNP, he added, will advocate for the shortening of the national anthem for the last two stanzas and the introduction of the national tricolor flag.
Knežević explained that the DNP is against the country's membership in NATO, but that, as he said, the citizens should decide on this in a referendum.
DNP supports, as he said, the continuation of the process of European integration and the fulfillment of obligations from Chapters 23 and 24 and good relations with the countries in the region, especially with Serbia.
Knežević said that Russia represents a proven benefactor, patron and protector of Montenegro, assessing that the state should develop the closest economic, cultural, spiritual and social relations with them.
The president of the New Serbian Democracy (NOVA), Andrija Mandić, said that, together with other constituents of the DF, he will work on Serbian-Montenegrin reconciliation, because, in his opinion, this is a prerequisite for the change of government.
"I promise you that DF will be stronger, because we will be joined by others who will join our party of their own free will," said Mandić.
He invited everyone who wants to change Montenegro to join that opposition alliance.
The president of the Movement for Change (PzP), Nebojša Medojević, said that it is necessary to create a new Montenegro that will be free, honorable and fair.
"We differ a lot, but we have one common goal, which is to fight against the regime that erased morality, honor and the difference between good and bad," said Medojević.
The president of the Workers' Party, Janko Vučinić, assessed that the leader of the DF was and remains the idea of an honorable, fair and civil state.
He believes that Montenegro does not need a shadow government.
"Montenegro needs a Government of brave and honest people who will be able to liberate the country and create a country in the interests of the citizens," said Vučinić.
At the Congress, a telegram was read from the protore, Velibor Džomić, who, as announced, supports the DNP.
The congress in the crowded hall of the old government building was attended by the ambassador of Russia to Montenegro Andrej Nesterenko, the vice-president of the Movement for Change Branko Radulović and the president of the Party of Pensioners Vojin Vuletić.
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