The elections in Podgorica are an attempt to test the Government of Montenegro and open the door for the re-composition of the government at the state level, said the leader of the coalition list of the Movement Europe Now (PES) - Democrats. Saša Mujović.
He said in an interview with "Vijesta" that they expect victory in the elections in Podgorica on September 29, because this is the result they gathered around in the coalition.
Mujović is the minister of energy, but he says that, "when they win power", he will stick to his word and be the mayor, because "anything else would be a fraud on the electorate".
Responding to accusations from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), he said that he was never a member of the DPS and never participated in any election activities of that party.
He repeated that he will not form a post-election coalition with the DPS, because that is defined by the coalition agreement between the PES and the Democrats.
"Also, a coalition with DPS partners, who overthrew the government in Podgorica with joint forces, is not an option," said Mujović.
Why did you accept to lead the list of PES and Democrats in the local elections and run for mayor of Podgorica, given that you are the Minister of Energy? Why is the coalition candidate not the current mayor Olivera Injac?
These are anything but local elections. This is an attempt to test the Government of Montenegro and open the door for a re-composition of government at the state level. This is what they are trying to prove unsuccessful, aided by an infinitely large and unfounded ambition. They want to turn the "wheel of history" back. As a minister in the 44th Government, as a member of the PES, as someone who wants to be part of the team both "for better and for worse", I accepted this challenge and am ready to give the last atom of strength to defend the Government's achievements and make Podgorica a European metropolis.
Colleague Olivera Injac is the real asset of PES. Lady, intellectual, uncompromising fighter, infinitely correct. I am honored that we share the same ideas and that we belong to the same party. The mayor, like any successful and accomplished person, is devoid of vanity. He does not perceive the function as an inheritance. She gave her maximum in the most difficult possible and irregular conditions, achieved enviable results, and the majority of these results will be reaped by the one who will succeed her in office. The party authorities analyzed the situation in Podgorica and we came to the conclusion that we need "fresh blood" to fight in the new dirty political game that will later implement the city's development plan. I emphasize that without the support of my colleague Injac, I would not have accepted the candidacy. Fortunately, I have her by my side and I am sure that with such selfless and friendly help I will achieve the result I desire.
If, based on the results of the election, you have the opportunity to be elected mayor of Podgorica, will you accept it or will you remain the minister of Why?
I would not enter the campaign if I am not ready to fulfill what I promise to the citizens. So, when we win power, I will stick to my word and be the mayor. Anything else would be fraud on the electorate.
DPS claim that you attended their party meetings and that you were "part of that party". Have you ever been a member, activist, voter of DPS? If so, when and why?
I will be very clear. I have never been a member of DPS and I have never participated in any election activities of that party. I entered politics thinking that there is a certain level of honor below which one cannot go, that there is no room for political fanaticism. It is unreal to me that a man discredits himself just for the sake of petty political points. I am a supporter of gentlemen in politics. Attacks and going back to the past, pointing out the mistakes of the opponent are not my manner. You are witnesses that I had the courage to praise the good projects that were done in the previous period. However, the campaign began and my political opponents made it clear to me that there was no question of gentlemanliness. As of today, DPS has clearly shown me on my skin how low it can hit and what kind of dirt it can sow, which I could see countless times before in relation to some of their other political opponents. My defeat would be to retaliate with "hate for hate". I will look at my yard and try to be as good as possible.
Your former party colleague Andrej Milović claims that a PES deputy threatened not to vote for the 44th government if you become a minister because you are a "DPS cadre"? If this is true, can you explain what happened and which MP is involved?
I have already stated that the campaign against me began with low blows, lies and innuendo. It's hard to fight and deal with it, but it gives me the strength not to give up and that only says one thing, that the citizens have the most confidence in the paper that bears my name. That's why they want to use these twenty days to smear my name. Here is a "beautiful" example of how cohesion can be achieved in Montenegro and how declaratively different parties and marginal individuals are perfectly understood. How can one persevere on the same task, even if it is dishonorable. I will not attach much importance to it. The projects and development of Podgorica, along with ongoing activities in the Ministry of Energy, is what occupies my attention.
What result do you expect in the elections in Podgorica? Who are you ready to form a post-election coalition with? You said that you will not form a government with the DPS. Why? Is a coalition possible with recent party comrades from the Movement for Podgorica, who is close to the president of the state and/or GP URA?
I don't like excessiveness and pretentiousness in statements, but I must say that we expect victory. That is the goal around which we gathered in the coalition and that would be a measure of our satisfaction. As for post-election coalitions, I clearly said that we will not be with DPS and that is defined by the coalition agreement between us and the Democrats. It was put on paper as a finished story, and as a direct reflection of the will of the membership of both political subjects. Also, a coalition with DPS's partners, who overthrew the government in Podgorica with joint forces, is not an option. I don't want to think about the other parties, because my only goal is to achieve the best possible election result and reduce the possibility of making "rotten compromises".
If you become part of the local government, how do you intend to solve some of the main problems of Podgorica, such as waste disposal and lack of water in certain parts?
You correctly detected the city's problems. We promise to make Podgorica cleaner by implementing a more rigorous penal policy, especially for illegal dumping, by building new underground containers with sensors that detect the level of filling, by purchasing new vehicles for garbage collection, by starting a plant for the treatment of waste tires and construction materials. The problem with water supply is expressed in the settlements of Donja Gorica, Beri, Murtovina, Kakaricka gora and Lješanska nahija due to unplanned or dynamic construction, which is not accompanied by the development of the water supply network. Therefore, one should not be too wise and say that the existing network must be improved and strengthened. The problem can be about land expropriation and that is what generally slows down projects and their implementation. Part of Bratonožić, Klopot, Potkrš and Pelev Brijeg have the same problems, but we plan to solve them in cooperation with Monteput. It is very important to mention that I will insist on the acquisition of leak detection devices on the water network, as they are currently at an unacceptably high level.
Lack of parking spaces and illegal parking of vehicles are also problems that have burdened the capital for years. How would you solve it and by when?
There will be order and order must be respected. Municipal inspections must do what is in their job description. The problem of parking and traffic is serious. I followed the statements of the other candidates for mayor on this issue and I respect that they have explicit solutions and believe that building a few new streets or parking garages can solve this complex issue. I have a different opinion, which is that the issue of traffic is solved by creating a Strategy, and not by any means a partial approach, because that way you seemingly solve one problem, but open up a whole range of new ones. Therefore, it is the Strategy that must define what is our priority, who we must include and respect. Cars used to dominate the streets of Podgorica. Now there are more and more cyclists, fellow citizens who use electric scooters, more and more people who are supporters of walking (I belong to them). So, we all have to find our "place under the sun" in this city. Only a high-quality and inclusive Strategy gives a chance to solve the issue of traffic in a sustainable way. What I absolutely agree with the others is that flawless functioning of city traffic must be ensured. It is truly the basis for success.
How do you think you can solve the problem of the collectors, the relocation of which has been announced for years, to which the residents of Botun are opposed?
I am aware that this is perhaps the biggest challenge in the capital, because Podgorica needs a new collector that will be built in accordance with the most modern achievements in the field and environmental protection, as well as that funds and donations have been secured for this project. Of course, I also understand the views of the residents of Botun who are against it. My working principle is dialogue and compromise, and that's how I'll approach this problem. I will not promise anything until I hear what the dilemmas of the inhabitants of Botun are, I look at all options and possible solutions, as well as alternatives.
Dismissal of workers in city enterprises is the last option
Would you reduce the number of employees in the Cleaning, Water Supply, Parking Service and other city companies, considering that there is a surplus of workers in them, especially in the administration, but they do not perform the jobs they exist for efficiently?
Companies that operate within local governments are obliged to work in accordance with the principles of the market and have a policy of employment and responsible performance of business in accordance with the laws. The capital does not reduce the number of employees in these companies, nor does it have the legal right to do so. However, what the citizens expect is that these jobs are performed with quality, which is the responsibility of the management staff. I will certainly ask that the management of those companies make plans for financially sustainable operations, but not at the expense of citizens and employees. Therefore, I do not accept that not all capacities can be employed in these companies, and Podgorica is constantly developing and growing. Dismissal is the last option, and the first is to increase the payment for the service provided, reduce unnecessary losses, strengthen the company's performance, but also redirect employees to those jobs where there is a need for it. Therefore, to detect where the biggest problems are and to solve them in accordance with the laws. To us, workers are not just a number, and we will take care of each employee, and the optimization of workplaces can be done in different ways. If necessary, the Capital will initiate various programs so that no one remains on the street.
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