The biggest problem in Nikšić is not party recruitment, but the employment of incompetent personnel and people with purchased diplomas.
This was told to "Vijesti" by the leader of the Europe Now Movement (PES) list in the upcoming elections in Nikšić, Zoran Mrkic.
He stated, among other things, that the "previous disastrous authorities" had carried out an "economic exodus of young people" and "stole the future of the young people of Nikšić", and that the people of Nikšić were "proud people" and did not want anyone to see them as a "poor relative" who should be shown mercy.
PES, said Mrkić, is open to cooperation with all political entities that share their "vision of the development of Nikšić."
"... Those who want a strong economy, jobs for the youth, better healthcare, efficient administration and who support our determined fight against corruption. This cooperation must be based on mutual respect and a unique vision of the future in which there will be room for new ideas and new people who can bring long-awaited changes to Nikšić," he said.
The elections in Nikšić are scheduled for April 13th, and 10 lists are participating.
PES is participating in the elections in Nikšić for the first time. What motivated you to be the leader of the PES list, less than four months after you became the acting director of the General Hospital?
When I came to the head of the hospital, I was faced with big problems. I saw that the healthcare system in Nikšić was on the verge of collapse. There is no investment, no equipment, no staff, the only thing there is in abundance is corruption. And it is not just in healthcare. Young people are leaving, the economy is destroyed, social protection is neglected. Nikšić, the second largest city in Montenegro, a former industrial center, is now a city that people are leaving, a city without a future, a city without prosperity. As a doctor, I saved the lives of many citizens, and as mayor, I will save Nikšić from further decline.
Political opponents criticize you for changing political parties. Do you think that PES can bring about a “healthy Nikšić”, as the slogan of the list you lead is?
I have always been determined to help the city I live in. The medical profession has taught me to be ready to take responsibility for the lives of other people. When I see that someone is having a hard time, I have to help. Today, it is difficult for the citizens of Nikšić, and I cannot stand aside. If we want changes, we have to fight for them, and that is only possible through institutions.
"Healthy Nikšić" is not just a slogan, it is a vision. We have a program that offers solutions on how to return to Nikšić everything that was taken from it. We will bring investments, with investments we will return the youth. We will improve the healthcare system, take care of our grandparents, so that they can spend their days with dignity in the city they love. We will strive to have a doctor and an ambulance in every village. PES has shown how a country can be successfully run - to increase salaries and pensions, to attract investments, to create new jobs. Just as PES raised Montenegro, we will also raise Nikšić.
If you were the head of the Municipality, which project would you implement first?
Key projects for the development of Nikšić relate to the development of infrastructure. If we have a developed infrastructure, we can expect new investments and new jobs. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic announced the construction of the Adriatic-Ionian Highway and the expressway to Podgorica and Pljevlja. With the help of the Government of Montenegro, we will renovate existing and build new local roads. This is a way to raise the economy and quality of life in Nikšić.
Nikšić used to be an industrial city. Is it possible to open new factories? If so, which factories would they be?
Opening new factories in Nikšić is a priority for PES. The empty talk of the previous authorities led to empty factories in Nikšić. In our program for the recovery of Nikšić, we pay special attention to opening new production facilities in the field of metal processing industry, through the development of EPCG (Electric Power Company of Montenegro), CEDIS (Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System) and the Steel Plant, which has the capacity to produce steel poles for transmission lines, prefabricated steel halls, metal recycling, as well as the development of metal processing services. Our goal is to attract new investments in the wood industry, food production and processing, green technologies, and of course to continue to develop our innovation ecosystem and provide young people with the opportunity to export their innovative ideas and products from Nikšić to the region and the world. We will create the best conditions for the development of female entrepreneurship, because we believe that women, as the pillar of the family, have the strength and potential to be an important pillar of the Nikšić economy.
The waste problem, even though the Mislov do landfill has been closed, has not been solved. How can it be solved?
The waste problem requires serious, sustainable solutions. Our goal is to create an efficient waste management system that includes the establishment of a regional landfill, for which there are already interested partners from abroad. Gone are the days when waste was viewed exclusively as a sanitary problem. Today, waste is a resource that has its own price on the market and is increasingly used in the energy sector, but also in the production of materials that have wide application in the road and construction industries, as well as in many other segments of a sustainable circular economy.
Do you think that the lease agreement for the Steel Mill and Forge with a company from Switzerland should be terminated, because the investor is not fulfilling certain contractual obligations related to hiring workers and paying rent?
We will approach this problem responsibly, protecting the interests of Nikšić and the state interests of Montenegro in the first place. The Nikšić Steel Plant is a strategic resource for our city, but also for the state. We need to show patience for the investors' intentions to start steel production, but this patience cannot last forever. We believe that there is a good perspective for the Nikšić Steel Plant with our Swiss partners and we hope that it will be realized in mutual interest. If this does not happen, the global steel market is very competitive and I believe that there are other bidders who would be willing to lease the Nikšić Steel Plant facilities.
The Municipality of Nikšić has been using assistance from the Equalization Fund for years. How efficient is the local government in collecting local taxes and do you think the Municipality can (and if so, when) stop being a beneficiary of the aforementioned fund?
Of course. Our goal is to leave the category of underdeveloped municipalities by increasing our own revenues. We, the people of Nikšić, are proud people, I do not want anyone to see us as a “poor relative” who needs mercy. I am sure that my fellow citizens have the potential and knowledge to build this city and return it to the path of pride and prosperity. Nikšić is the largest municipality in Montenegro, with the potential to be a leader in industrial production. We believe that by attracting new investments, we will stimulate economic growth, increase the number of new companies and employees, and thus influence the growth of the municipality's revenues through the collection of fees from employers and users of state services.
Will you address the problem of party employment in local administration and local businesses and if so, how would you solve that problem?
The biggest problem is not party recruitment, but the recruitment of incompetent staff and people with purchased diplomas. If someone is a good expert and at the same time a member of a party, they will always have my support. Even if they do not come from my party. But I will never allow incompetent staff whose only recommendation is a party booklet to work in public administration. I will resolutely oppose such a practice. The composition of our list, where we have numerous doctors, graduated economists, lawyers and political scientists, shows that PES recognizes education as one of the foundations of building a modern society in which institutions will work independently, protecting the rights and interests of ordinary people.
Which specific parties/movements would you possibly cooperate with after the elections, and which ones would you not?
We are open to cooperation with all political entities that share our vision for the development of Nikšić - those who want a strong economy, jobs for young people, better healthcare, efficient administration and who support our determined fight against corruption. This cooperation must be based on mutual respect and a unique vision of the future in which there will be room for new ideas and new people who can bring long-awaited changes to Nikšić. I call on citizens, especially those who do not go to the polling stations often or have only recently exercised their right to vote, to go to the elections in large numbers and take the fate of Nikšić into their own hands. A better future is possible, but we must all fight for it together.
PES is not burdened by national divisions
It seems we can't do without identity/national issues. When will politicians finally stop with this narrative and turn to real life?
PES is one of the few parties that is not burdened by national divisions. On the contrary, we believe that the strength of our society lies in our diversity, which is the value on which the European Union is based, to which we are dedicatedly striving. We deal with the concrete problems of citizens - jobs, economy, health, infrastructure. Citizens are tired of national divisions that are used as an excuse for the failure of local policies. Our focus is on the real needs of the citizens of Nikšić and on the measures that need to be implemented to provide citizens with a stable and prosperous future.
We will bring back the youth by creating new jobs.
Declaratively, everyone repeats that they will stop the departure of young people. How would you do that?
The previous disastrous authorities have carried out an economic exodus of young people. They have stolen the future of the young people of Nikšić. We will bring back young people by creating new jobs through investments in the economy and new factories, but also by encouraging the development of the startup ecosystem and innovative youth entrepreneurship with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation. The greatest value of our young people is their knowledge, intelligence and talent. We want to invest the most in these values. We will provide them with better education, adequate healthcare, sports and cultural content. We will create favorable conditions for resolving housing issues. We want young people to come to Nikšić, not to leave it.
Bonus video:
