Presidents of Montenegro, Parliament and Government, Jakov Milatovic, Andrija Mandic (New Serbian Democracy) and Milojko Spajic (Europe Now Movement), are the officials who have spent the most time in state villas in the past year.
This is shown by data provided to "Vijesti" by the General Secretariat of the Government (GSV), in response to the newspaper's questions about who, when and how used state-owned villas in the last 12 months.
According to the Regulation on the conditions and manner of using buildings for representative needs owned by Montenegro, the GSV is responsible for the villas “Gorica” in Podgorica, “Topliš” in Miločer, “Njivice” near Herceg Novi and “Žabljak” in Žabljak.
According to GSV data for the period from June 12 last year to June 30 this year, Mandić stayed in state villas a maximum of four times. He was in "Topliš" twice (from July 21 to 24 and from August 5 to 15, 2024), and once in "Žabljak" (from August 17 to 27 last year) and in "Njivice" (from July 5 to 8, 2024). Total - 30 days.
Spajić used his right to use luxurious state facilities on three occasions, each time in Miločer. He stayed in the villa there for 29 days (from 1 to 5 and from 18 to 31 August last year, and from 13 to 22 June this year).
As for Milatović, he was in the villa once - also the one in Miločer, spending 19 days there (from July 13 to 31 last year).
In addition to the three presidents, the villa was also used by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and the Minister of Economic Development. Nick Djelosaj (Albanian Alternative). He was also in “Topliš” once, for five days (from August 13 to 17, 2024).
Officials use the villas mainly for vacation. GSV told "Vijesti" that they have no information for which purposes they are "rented", adding that they only approve their use.
The head of state's office told the newspaper that Milatović was in Miločer with his family last year. They stated that the president plans to use the Villa "Topliš" again this year.
Mandić, Spajić and Đeljošaj, or their offices, did not respond to questions from "Vijesti" about why they were staying in the villas.
These facilities can also be used by the Vice Presidents of the Parliament, the Presidents of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts, the Supreme State Prosecutor, the Chief Special Prosecutor, the Director of the National Security Agency (ANB), and if none of them have reserved them - they can also be used by state bodies, state administration bodies, the State Audit Institution and public services founded by the state.
Gatherings of the Petrović Njegoš family
In the past year, the villa has been used, in addition to officials, by a descendant of the Petrović Njegoš dynasty, Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš, namely the “Petrović Njegoš” Foundation, which he heads. The Prince has the right to do so pursuant to the Law on the Status of Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dynasty.
He told "Vijesti" that his family stayed in the villas.
"These various buildings were used in accordance with the Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Dynasty, and with the consent of various governments, to enable the gathering of the Petrović Njegoš family until the residence provided for by law was built, which has not yet been realized. I would like to remind you that all the property of our family was confiscated in 1918," said Prince Nikola Petrović Njegoš.
He used Villa “Njivice” the most - four times, the facility in Žabljak twice, and “Topliš” once.
In addition to those listed, the state-owned villas "Jelika" in Žabljak, "Gorica" in Budva and "Ljubović" in Podgorica are also provided for use by the ANB, as well as Villa "C" in Budva, which is managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP).
The ANB told the editorial staff that from January 1st of last year to July 22nd of this year, they used the villas "Gorica" in Budva and "Ljubović" in Podgorica "for the Agency's expert meetings", and that the Villa "Jelika" was not used during that period.
The Ministry of Interior told "Vijesti" that Villa "C" was occupied by their officers who had to be stationed in coastal municipalities due to official duties. They state that they were all busy during the day of their stay, "mainly providing assistance to colleagues from coastal municipalities in identifying and finding persons of operational interest, as well as maintaining a favorable security environment."
"Also, some of the officers who stayed in this facility were undergoing diving training, or were engaged in supervising the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Persons and Property. In addition to the aforementioned officers, Villa 'C' was also used by four police officers who were employed in coastal municipalities, where they do not reside," the newspaper was told.
The Ministry of Interior also announced that meetings of organizational units of that department from coastal municipalities are occasionally held in Villa "C", adding that by using its accommodation capacities for the needs of performing regular and extraordinary work tasks of employees, the ministry achieves significant budget savings.
"Villa 'C' was not used for the needs of either domestic or foreign state officials and functionaries, and leasing this facility in accordance with legal procedures is not possible, so the Ministry of Interior did not rent it out," the responses signed by the Ministry of Interior's Public Relations Team stated.
Villa “Gorica” used 111 times
When it comes to Villa "Gorica", GSV told "Vijesti" that it was used 111 times from mid-June last year to the end of June this year.
"For protocol purposes, holding official meetings, talks with delegations from the country and abroad, holding jubilee ceremonies, presenting state awards, awarding decorations and other recognitions, ceremonial and other receptions," the response to the newspaper stated.
The officials were in the same villas at the same time?
From the data provided to the list by the GSV, it follows that some officials "shared" villas with other officials for a certain period of time.
For example, from July 21 to 24, 2024, President Milatović and Assembly Leader Mandić were allegedly at the same time in the Villa “Topliš”.
The first man of the highest legislative house was allegedly in the facility in Miločer at the same time as one of the vice presidents of the executive branch, Đeljošaj - from August 13 to 15 last year.
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