In the last presidential election, the citizens of Podgorica "punished" Mayor Miomir Mugoša with a little more than 5.000 votes, because he did nothing for the outskirts of the city and because his personal interests were more important than the needs of the citizens, said the president of the club of SNP councilors, Vladimir Vujović.
He pointed out that the fate of the authorities in Podgorica is not in the hands of the DPS, but of the councilors who make up the mathematical majority in the city parliament.
The president of the club of DPS councilors, Momčilo Vujošević, however, believes that the bad election result of Filip Vujanović was "conceived" by the media war that is being waged against the policy of the DPS and the coalition partner at the state level - SDP.
"The authorities in Podgorica are functioning without problems and until the conditions for holding early elections are created, there is no need to call them. When the conditions are met, elections for the local parliament will be called, either early or regular," said Vujošević to "Vijesta".
The president of NOVA councilors' club, Goran Radonjić, assessed, however, that most people feel injustice first hand, see corruption and are aware of the economic decline.
"On the other hand, abuses and arrogance of the authorities, lack of ideas and trampling on institutions can no longer be hidden. There is not even a fictitious start of works, nor the opening of buildings, even unfinished ones. The fight for the preservation of privileges is becoming more and more bare," said Radonjić.
Opposition candidate Miodrag Lekić won about 5.000 more votes than Vujanović. The results of the parliamentary elections, held in October last year, showed that the ruling coalition no longer has a majority in Podgorica.
Vujović believes that the bad election result is the fault of the government's disastrous policy, judging that the mayor is most responsible for everything that was done in Podgorica.
"We cannot say that only one man is responsible. The local government is to blame, but the mayor's temper influenced these things to such an extent... His well-known stubbornness and determination not to hear the voice of those who know in which direction Podgorica should develop", explained Vujović.
He believes that Mugoša was punished primarily by citizens from the outskirts, where, unlike the city center, nothing was done.
"You should walk around Podgorica in the rain. You see a nice center, but a kilometer from it there are huge holes. That is why the opposition won twice as many votes in Maslina, Proleter and other suburban settlements. Mugoša was also punished by citizens from the city center, but much more so by those from the outskirts," Vujović assessed.
Crows after heavy rains
According to Vujović, it is not in favor of Mugoš that many promised projects have not been completed, and those that have cost "twice as much as planned".
"After such a long government, the citizens of Podgorica feel that they are suffering the immediate consequences of an irresponsible government. It cannot be said that this government does nothing, but that it does certain things, but by not being able to separate personal interest from the municipal interest. Unfortunately for the citizens , that general interest is always in the background", Vujović said.
Vujošević, on the other hand, pointed out that the presidential elections were held in a time of difficult economic situation, assessing that in the first decade of the 21st century, Podgorica had an economic and every other development that would be the envy of all cities in the region.
Extraordinary elections are not certain
However, shortening the mandate of the Capital City Assembly is not realistic, because it is difficult to expect that NS and DSS councilors Slaviša Guberinić and Dragan Ostojić and independent councilor Boban Vujacić would support it.
Without their votes, such a decision could not be made, even if all opposition councilors, including the SDP, voted for shortening the mandate.
Guberinić, who regularly supports the decisions of the government, ended the call as soon as he heard the question of the "Vijesti" journalist whether he thinks that the bad policy of Mugoša is to blame for the poor result of the DPS presidential candidate. After that, Guberinić switched off the phone.
Vujović said that the proposal for a decision on shortening the mandate has not yet been signed by several councilors who, although they are from the "Better Podgorica - Better Montenegro" list, support the local government.
In early January, SNP sent a proposal to representatives of opposition parties and independent councilors.
"We will find out in the coming days whether this election result will affect those who in some way ensure the survival of this government. Now everything depends on a very small number of councilors", Vujović said.
Radonjić believes that it is long past time for extraordinary elections, but he expects that those in power will continue to postpone the moment of facing the inevitable.
"Because their government is illegitimate, and it is not for the good of the citizens, but for personal gain. All the same, that moment of facing the electoral will is coming, and it will come faster than it seems now," Radonjić said.
Despite the promise that he would call later, the president of the club of SDP councilors, Đorđe Suhih, did not answer the calls and text messages of "Vijesti" yesterday. Suhih said earlier that SDP councilors will support the proposal to shorten the mandate.
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