Political turmoil resulted in some citizens of Bar in a state of social need receiving certain benefits this year, such as free kindergarten and various benefits, while some were left "hanging out", and the upheaval in the ruling majority reduced funds for certain assistance measures.
The end of last year on the Bar political scene was marked by social issues, and initiatives to improve the lives of the vulnerable came from both the government and the opposition, which was the main topic of the budget debate, although it was presented as capital and development. Whether this is a matter of real care for citizens or collecting political points - was the question that was raised at the session of the Municipal Assembly (MA) at the end of December, where the budget for 2026, which amounts to almost 66 million euros, was discussed.
Director of Action for Social Justice Ines Mrdovic She told "Vijesti" that political elites remember the most vulnerable mainly during challenging election periods, but even then not enough. It should not be overlooked, she emphasized, that this year is crucial for the 2027 election cycle, when local elections will be held in all municipalities in the country, and with them, probably, regular parliamentary elections.
"So the stakes are huge for all political groups (whether in power or opposition) and they are already trying to take the best possible position, including in relation to socially vulnerable groups. Parties know well that electoral support is secured much earlier than election day itself and are acting accordingly," said Mrdović.
Head of the Bar Municipal Council Branislav Nenezić (SD), submitted an amendment in early December requesting one million euros to subsidize kindergarten attendance and meals for all children in Bar. The Democrats' proposal to allocate the same amount to subsidies for social housing came a few days later.
The first man of the Bar Dušan Raičević (DPS) presented the Local Action Plan (LAP) for the prevention of child and social protection in mid-December, in which it included this item, and a total of 1,7 million euros were allocated for 11 measures.
In addition to kindergartens and social housing, he also presented subsidies for artificially assisted insemination, free non-invasive prenatal tests for pregnant women, free transportation for students and pensioners, one-time financial assistance for the purchase of medicines for pensioners, subsidizing extended stays in licensed institutions for children of primary school age...
This solution was not acceptable to Nenezić, so not only did he not give up on having his initiative be a separate item in the budget, but he also requested an amendment to the agenda of the municipal session, so that his proposal would be a separate item for discussion. Ultimately, all councilor clubs supported Nenezić's amendment, corrected it during the break to the amount of 900 thousand euros within the LAP, proposed it as a joint one and unanimously adopted it, but it was decided to make a separate decision on this.
This solution left a total of 800 thousand for ten other items in the field of social and child protection, and the question of whether they could be implemented with that budget remained open, as many councilors had doubts about how the rest of the money would be distributed to the remaining ten measures. That document, as well as the decision on free kindergartens, will be subject to public debate until January 16.
The Municipality's budget for 2026 also included a proposal from the Biram Bar - Movement for Change councilors' club to introduce a free van transportation service for the elderly and citizens with reduced mobility, especially from rural and suburban settlements, as well as an initiative Darko Janković from the Europe Now Movement, which refers to the allocation of funds for children with developmental disabilities.
There is money for management, but not for tenants.
The Democrats' proposal to allocate one million euros for social housing did not pass, because Nenezić's proposal did, so there is no money for everyone. Mrdović called such a relationship between decision-makers in Bar "unacceptable for the vulnerable," especially considering the fact that the Bar administration has almost 66 million euros in its coffers.
"If the municipality's budget has money for councilors' compensation, per diems, travel, and various purchases to make local managers and staff more comfortable, I guess there should also be money for those who don't have a roof over their heads," she said.
She says that she does not believe in the sudden desire to significantly improve social policies and assesses that Montenegro is ruled by a cruel partitocracy to which everything is predetermined.
"The strength of a state is measured by the quality of social services for the most vulnerable categories of citizens," she assessed, adding that Montenegro was defeated long ago in this regard.
Montenegrin society, Mrdović believes, has failed to fight for a more socially just and better system, and it is most difficult for vulnerable individuals and families to achieve this, because they are vulnerable and, to a large extent, "invisible members of communities."
At least, she says, they will probably get a day center for children with special needs this year, which in itself speaks volumes about the poor situation for vulnerable families and their members who are forced to be socially excluded.
No more complaining and sitting around
When asked how citizens can judge whether these are sincere intentions or whether they are being used in a state of social need to promote parties, Mrdović replies that citizens know very well that much of this comes for the sake of political profiteering in elections.
"After the DPS's electoral patent, which enabled them to rule for three decades, and part of these mechanisms was aimed specifically at the most socially vulnerable, little remained undisclosed to the public about the models of exercising electoral pressure or bribery," Mrdović emphasized.
Among other things, she said, people who fill positions related to social services must be excellent professionals, with special empathy towards vulnerable members of society, and at the same time have the support of the local government, regardless of which political group governs it.
Such people, according to Mrdović, must design realistic social policies needed by a municipality and, with particular persistence, seek the funds necessary for the implementation of these policies from their local authorities, as well as from the Government.
"They must also turn to international sources to seek funds to improve social policies. Nothing has ever happened since they sat around and complained, watching citizens' money go to those who have the most, or disappear into corrupt channels," said Mrdović.
Pekić: Politicians say - "I made it possible for you"
Councilor of the Civic Movement URA, Darko Pekić, told "Vijesti" that he believes that social issues should never be a means of gaining cheap political points, but they are witnesses that ruling majorities, both at the local and state levels, are trying to profit from these issues.
"That is why the only correct and sustainable proposal was made by my colleague Ferida Peročević from the URA Bar Police Station - creating a social card for every citizen. In this way, the funds spent can be monitored, which leads to the creation of the right policies. The current practice of social benefits has the same effect as pouring sand into the sea," said Pekić.
When the ruling coalition remembers social issues before drafting the budget and uses it for political battles and measuring power between parties, Pekić believes that a simple message is being sent - "I made it possible for you."
"Citizens who benefit in this way must ask themselves whether such a practice is sustainable and how long this 'fountain of wishes' called the Bar Municipality Budget will work. When it dries up, they must know that it will be filled from their pockets through various new fees, taxes and other levies," concluded Pekić.
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