INTERVIEW Baošić: If there is money for athletes, there must be money for the vulnerable

The holder of the Podgorica Tenant Movement "Our City - Our Home" list, Nemanja Baošić, said that no political matrix based on functions and party quotas is acceptable to them.

He believes that it is impossible to solve the city's problems without a political compromise and a clear vision.

"There are a number of concrete measures in our program objectives. First of all, part of the Capital City's budget must be redirected. If there is money for the basketball and handball club 'Budućnost', to save some projects that have experienced a fiasco in addition to that, and how there must be money for our fellow citizens, tenants and everything else", said the former member of the Democratic People's Party in the Podgorica parliament in an interview for "Vijesti" via e-mail.

Baošić expects that, if they do not pass the census, "the political game, party quotas and employment in depth and breadth will continue".

Why did you decide to be the first on the list of the Tenant Movement in the elections in Podgorica?

The decision to head the Tenant Movement was primarily a reflection of the responsibility I feel towards the aforementioned social group, a group of citizens who feel completely neglected both at the level of the city of Podgorica and the state. I am convinced that with joint efforts we can correct the injustice, and through a series of decisions, first of all in the city parliament, enable part of the budget of the capital city to be redirected to tenants, socially vulnerable families and other vulnerable categories of society. This is our obligation to our fellow citizens.

You have decided to run as an independent in the elections in Podgorica. Were there any negotiations with anyone about a joint performance, and if so, with whom?

Of course, there were dialogues, no negotiations, since I really did not recognize a sincere intention regarding our priority program goal. The Podgorica tenants' movement is not a political platform, but rather a sincere and honest offer, I would even say an electoral alternative for all fellow citizens who are disappointed with the attitude of the capital city and the state towards issues of priority importance.

What result do you expect in the elections? What will you do if the tenant movement does not pass the census?

For us, that is absolutely not an option. Hypothetically, if we do not pass the census, it is logical that our voice will not be heard in the Assembly of the capital city. The political game, party quotas and employment in depth and breadth will continue. If this is the future of our Podgorica, we certainly do not want to be part of that puzzle.

With whom would you join the post-election coalition?

Again hypothetical, but it is too early to talk about the above. First of all, we do not accept any political matrix based on positions and party quotas. We will consider those who want essential changes as a partner, but I believe that there will be room for such a dialogue and how it will be after the elections on September 29.

If you are part of the future government, how do you intend to solve the main problem of Podgorica - garbage and lack of water in certain parts? Will you reduce the number of employees in Čistoca and Vodovodo, considering that they have a large number of workers, but they do not perform the jobs they exist for efficiently?

Podgorica has been facing the problem of water supply for a long time, especially when it comes to the surrounding places that have been completely neglected. The solution lies in a constructive approach and political stability, which does not exist, so if we want to work in the interests of citizens, we must find and work together on the most important things when it comes to citizens. Without political compromise and a clear vision, it is almost impossible to solve similar problems.

⁠How will you solve the problem of lack of parking and illegal parking of vehicles?

Parking in the capital can only be solved by underground infrastructure. We must be aware of the fact that Podgorica is already a city where almost half of the population of the whole of Montenegro lives and that this number of fellow citizens greatly affects parking problems. If we strive for a solution, the only option is underground infrastructure in terms of parking spaces in virtually all parts of the city.

One of the pressing problems of Podgorica is the collector whose relocation has been announced for years. Do you have a solution for that?

The collector in Botun is a problem that further burdens the demarcation between Podgorica and Zeta, which is not in sight. It is obvious that there is no political will at this moment to solve it, and in this regard, honestly speaking, it is clear that absolutely no one has an adequate solution, and it all boils down to using the mentioned problem for daily political purposes. I will not be a part of that empty political story, since at this moment the agreement is really far away, and the Capital city, in addition, has a number of problems of priority importance, especially in the domain of socially vulnerable groups that it hardly notices, nor does it deal with their everyday problems.

What solutions would you resort to, as part of the city administration, to make it easier for citizens to realize their tenancy rights?

Our program objectives include a number of concrete measures. First of all, part of the Capital City's budget must be redirected. If there is money for the basketball and handball club "Budućnost", to save some projects that have experienced a fiasco in addition to that, there must be money for our fellow citizens, tenants and everything else. Subsidies, housing policy, social housing construction - there are a number of options, and as far as the tenant movement is concerned, each of them will be on the agenda of the Assembly. We are convinced that the citizens will recognize the good and sincere intention.

"I'm done with party involvement"

You were a member of the DNP in the Assembly of the capital city. How will your involvement in the Subtenant Movement differ from the previous one?

I wouldn't compare. Nemanja Baošić has finished his party involvement. This is about a higher goal, and this has absolutely nothing to do with politics, but with the clear goal that citizens fight for elementary justice - that our children do not wait until the end of schooling with the pressure of recommendations, party ineligibility and the like. This engagement is reflected in a clear intention to change things from the roots. Political entities definitely function differently, but the citizens of Podgorica have an easy choice in front of them, support the Tenants' Movement and the list "Naš grad - Naš dom", give us a chance and you will be convinced very quickly of the correctness of such a decision.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who in the previous days provided support and made it possible for the Tenant Movement to be included in the election process. Despite the obstructions, we are honored and I invite fellow citizens to share the burden and fight together for a better tomorrow, for Podgorica justice!