The Civic Movement URA strongly condemns the dismissal of the director of the National Library "Đurđe Crnojević" Dragica Lompar, who this summer pointed out the misuse of the name of that institution and the violation of the Law on Publishing Activities regarding the awarding of the Thirteenth of July Award to Bećir Vuković, the party announced today.
"Dragica Lompar was appointed to the position of director of the National Library at the proposal of ERO, as a proven professional and a person of integrity, and her dismissal represents a classic example of political revanchism towards those who dare to tell the truth and defend the law," the statement said.
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The GP URA added that the Europe Now Movement (PES) and Democratic Montenegro have shown that they are worse than the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
"They advocated for meritocracy, and citizens received the worst partitocracy. After they degraded the Thirteenth of July Award this summer, they are now further degrading culture by appointing party and church personnel who, in addition, do not meet even the basic requirements for the positions they are assuming. The fact that Minister of Culture Tamara Vujović did not see fit to even welcome Dragica Lompar, despite rumors that her successor had already been determined in advance, is particularly worrying. This clearly speaks of the minister's intention to continue with bad, non-transparent and destructive policies in the culture sector," said the GP URA.
The party states that they are asking the minister whether the director of the National Library is elected by the Ministry of Culture or by religious circles.
"We expect the minister to publicly announce whether the Ministry or religious leaders decide on the selection of directors, and whether national or ideological affiliation has become a key criterion for managing cultural institutions. We also expect a clear answer as to whether Dragica Lompar would have been appointed to another term if she had not publicly spoken out about the scandal surrounding the awarding of the highest state award to Bećir Vuković," ERO said.
As the party points out, Dragica Lompar served as director of the National Library for almost five years, after 38 years of service in that institution.
"During that period, she worked honorably, professionally and in the interest of all citizens of Montenegro, aware that the National Library belongs to everyone, not to parties and ideological centers of power. Her dismissal sends a clear and dangerous message that professional, educated and responsible people in the culture and heritage sector are not desirable if they are not politically in line with the wishes of the minister and her commitments," the URA GP said.
The party also said that political revenge has long-term and serious consequences.
"Removing people of integrity and bringing in subordinates does not contribute to society, and causes immeasurable damage to culture, especially in times of deep social, moral and ethical crisis. URA will continue to defend professionals and the public interest, regardless of political pressures," concluded the URA General Directorate.
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