What will happen after the departure of Đukanović from the post of head of DPS: Milo is leaving, and with him an alibi for all problems

With the formal departure of the undisputed leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Milo Đukanović from the head of the party, the alibi that he is the source of all problems is lost and the conditions are created for citizens to finally start voting for something, and not against someone. Resignation from the leadership position carries uncertainty for that party, which, after a series of defeats, needs to "change clothes" before the parliamentary elections, which are held in two months.

This is how the interlocutors of "Vijesti" comment on the surprising information the night before last, which they also call shocking, that Đukanović has left the head of the party which he has led without interruption for 25 years.

The main board of DPS accepted the resignation of the previous president yesterday, and the head of the club of deputies of that party in the Assembly was appointed as the acting president. Danijel Zivkovic. He will perform the acting role until the immediate elections or party congress.

President of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Alternatives Stevo Muk says that Đukanović's departure from the position of DPS president is a shock for a significant number of voters, who saw in him the reason to vote for that party.

For the party itself as an organization, adds the civil activist for "Vijesti", his resignation carries uncertainty because it comes after a convincing electoral defeat and in anticipation of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The State Election Commission announced yesterday the final results of the presidential elections, according to which the PES candidate is Jakov Milatovic, convincingly won the presidential race with 58,9 percent of voter support. Đukanović won 41,1 percent of the vote, that is, 66.823 votes less than Milatović.

Analysts estimate that such a result will have a very bad effect on the rating of DPS in the parliamentary elections on June 11, especially since two and a half years ago they already lost the state elections, and after that the power in most local governments.

Đukanović said yesterday after the GO session that the DPS gave birth to a completely new generation of people who are at the top of the party, and who will be the backbone of "some future reform and European government".

"One of the most prominent people of that middle, young generation is Živković, and I am convinced that we have made a good move and choice, which will be an impulse to rehabilitate the trust that faltered on August 30, 2020," he said.

Stevo Muk states that Đukanović's withdrawal, i.e. the process of "cooling down" from defeat and "warming up" and encouraging for the new election cycle, coincides with a completely new situation, in which the new leadership is elected in the least favorable political circumstances.

"Regardless of whether the parliamentary elections will be held in June or a few months later, it seems that the DPS will not have enough time for serious personnel reform and program refreshment. Đukanović's departure from the position of party president will inevitably open up uncertain processes of competition among different and opposing groups within the party," he estimates.

The leader of Preokret, who participated in the recent local elections in two municipalities with civic lists, Srdjan Peric he is cautious in predicting the resignation: "...It is undoubtedly politically significant news. What will be the consequences for that party, especially bearing in mind the upcoming elections, and what moves it will make, that should be left to the people who are its members - that is their autonomous right," he says.

Perić, who retired from the parliamentary post after the alliance of Positivina Montenegro with DPS, explains that something else is much more important for the public as a whole:

"Now the excuses in which you blame others for unsuccessful moves, or project all problems onto one person, are disappearing. Whether you are the government or the opposition. This could be a contribution to the maturing of the political scene, but it is certain that the leaders of the new government will resist this process because it will create a need to impose standards that destroy their party monopolies and the idea of ​​untouchability".

If that temptation is overcome, explains Perić, there is an opportunity to finally bring politics into a rational plane.

"If you are continuously unsuccessful or unable to overcome the task in front of you, step back and give space to someone else to try. Again, if the situation is different, here is an opportunity to get recognition. At the same time, the constellation in which you make a choice exclusively in opposition to one personality also 'falls into the water', and that is a chance to start voting for something, and not just against someone", adds the interlocutor.

Živković: We will be extremely motivated

Acting President of DPS Danijel Živković said yesterday that the Presidency's decision to be in that position is a great responsibility and that it is not easy to assume it in a complex political moment: "I believe that this will result in the goal of DPS taking on social and political responsibility in the near future ", he said at the press conference.

"In the parliamentary elections, we must maintain a high level of relevance in the political life of Montenegro, and I believe that we will be the political entity that will win the largest number of votes in those elections. This implies the greatest mobilization of the party membership, and it implies that we will be extremely motivated to meet their maintenance", he said.

Živković was born on August 15, 1987 in Pljevlja. He graduated from the Faculty of Law and specialized in constitutional law and politics. He started his work experience as an intern in the Municipality of Pljevlja, and continued in the Pljevlja Coal Mine.

In his biography, it is written that he was a councilor in the Pljevlja Municipal Assembly since 2014, president of the DPS, SD and BS Pljevlja Councilors' Club, and since July 1, 2017, he has been a member of the Assembly.

Changing generations is a big challenge

When asked if he is leaving the DPS, Đukanović answered yesterday with a counter question - where else would he be but in the DPS. "My membership in the party was not related to my leadership, which arose as a result of some other circumstances... I will remain at the front of the fight for values ​​that I want to be part of the heritage of modern Montenegro... There is no doubt what the future belongs to. We cannot guess whether it will be the EU or the 'Serbian world'. I will put all my authority, knowledge and experience into achieving our goals, from any position in the party. Today was not the time to discuss from which position," he said.

Stevo Muk says that the question remains open to what extent Đukanović will manage the party processes from the shadows and direct the formally very broad intra-party democracy in which the members directly elect the party president.

"In the end, will the more experienced party functionaries who intend to continue participating in party and political life, but also the younger cadres who want to take responsibility for the further management of the party, without reservations and restrictions, allow him to do so... The outcome of the internal party elections and the degree the acceptance of the outcome will also show whether that party is capable of continuing life without the authority of Đukanović, or whether some new political parties will emerge from it", adds Muk.

Đukanović said yesterday that the deadline for internal party elections is three months from the parliamentary elections, so September 11.

Srđan Perić says that in parties that have a dominant leader, the change of generations is quite a big challenge. "When someone has been in politics for so long, they will wait for a definitive confirmation that the withdrawal is of an essential and not a formal character. But for the community, it is much more important than the fate of any party that people have the freedom to choose their political path that is in agreement with their beliefs - they can join, stay or leave a party accordingly," he adds.