Some of the opposition parties in Podgorica could support the ruling coalition's initiatives in the city parliament, as is the case after the exit of the Democratic People's Party (DNP). Milan Knežević from it, there would be no early local elections - "Vijesti" finds out.
According to unofficial information from the editorial office, the ruling Europe Now Movement (PES), from which the first man of Podgorica comes, Saša Mujović, does not plan to formally form new alliances in the capital after the DNP leaves power.
When asked whether he would seek support from the opposition for the "passage" of the initiatives (in the City Assembly), and if so - from which parties/movements from that side of the political scene, Mujović replied yesterday to "Vijesti" that he would not seek support from anyone outside the ruling coalition in its current composition. However, he said that everyone who wants to raise their "hands" for the government's initiatives is welcome.
"We will organize a session of the city parliament with topics that are of fundamental interest to the citizens of Podgorica. Whoever wants to support it - is welcome. Whoever doesn't - that is their political right and responsibility," said Mujović.
He stated that he believes that holding elections before 2027, when general local elections are scheduled, would be an irresponsible waste of resources and time, but added that he and PES are prepared for such a potential scenario.
Sources from "Vijesti" claim that the Party of European Progress (SEP) of the former Prime Minister could allegedly provide the "hands" for some of the government's proposals in the Podgorica parliament. Duško Marković and the Civic Movement (GP) URA also of the former Prime Minister Dritan AbazovićHowever, SEP officially denies that they discussed this with PES, while GP URA and its officials did not respond to the editorial team's questions.
"The European Progress Party has not had any discussions or initiatives with PES regarding providing support in the Capital City Assembly," the party said in response to the newspaper's questions about whether they had reached an agreement with PES to provide them with support in the city parliament when necessary, and if so, what they conditioned it on, i.e. what they would get in return.
However, the SEP recently, recalling their affirmative stance on the issue of the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in the Zeta settlement of Botun, told "Vijesti" that they had given their support to "those forces that care about the development of Podgorica through the simultaneous protection of citizens' health and environmental preservation, which would not be possible without the construction of the plant... in Botun". They also announced at the time that "their role will always be reflected through the prism of contributions and the achievement of their program goals, which the citizens recognized and supported in the Podgorica elections".
The government crisis in the capital, which culminated in the DNP's decision to leave Podgorica and state government, began over the issue of the collector in Botun - a project implemented by the city government, which Knežević's party opposes.
When it comes to other opposition parties, the strongest - the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), unofficially told "Vijesti" that they had not had any discussions with government representatives regarding providing them with support, while the European Union unofficially said that "there were some signals", without specifying what exactly they meant or what they meant.
"As for the talks, there was nothing, but there were signals from the other side," a source from the European Union said, adding that the coalition's position is that "everything that is of vital interest to citizens" should be supported, but that this is "very far from concrete actions."
After the DNP's departure to the opposition, the majority at the state level remains stable, while in Podgorica the question of the survival of the ruling coalition is being raised.
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The Capital City Assembly has 59 councilors, and the support of at least 30 of them is required to constitute a city government. The ruling majority in Podgorica, until the decision of Free Montenegro and DNP to withdraw from it, consisted of 31 councilors: the PES-Democrats alliance has 14 representatives, the parties of the former Democratic Front (of which DNP is a part) with smaller partners have 13 councilors, and the Movement for Podgorica, close to the head of state Jakov Milatović four.
With the withdrawal of Slobodna (one councilor), and then DNP, which has four representatives (in agreement with Prava Crna Gora, they have since gained a fourth), from the city government, the ruling coalition "falls" to 26 councilors, and must seek the support of at least four opposition representatives in order to "survive".
In that case, they need the support of two opposition parties, if not DPS. They can only negotiate with GP URA, SEP or the Preokret Movement. Srdjan Perić, which have two councilors each in the Podgorica Assembly, and with the European Union, which has three.
Preokret has repeatedly stated that they will not "patch holes" in local government.
Last week, the DNP announced that it was leaving the state and Podgorica governments. This was preceded by the government's refusal to support their demands to resolve identity issues, namely the introduction of the Serbian language as an official language, amending the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship (introducing dual citizenship with Serbia), and standardizing the tricolor as the "national flag".
DNP also sought dialogue on the construction of a collector in Botun.
No initiative to remove Mujović
The DNP's exit from power would not mean its automatic fall, even if no “replacement” was found. For the government to be overthrown, the mandate of the local parliament would have to be shortened or Mujović would have to be dismissed.
From Slobodna Vladislav Dajković (who left power after being suspended for protesting in Botun during working hours) had previously announced the possibility of launching such initiatives, but after discussions with the DNP.
Dajković told "Vijesti" yesterday that he would coordinate the initiative to shorten the mandate of the Capital City Assembly, as well as the initiative to vote no confidence in Mujović, with the DNP, since they are part of the same councilors' club.
"On the other hand, it is clear that the current mayor no longer has the legitimacy to perform that function, unless he decides to cooperate with DPS," said Dajković.
The Podgorica PES committee announced last night that it gives "full and unequivocal support" to Mujović, because, they say, "in a time of political irresponsibility, running away from decisions and calculating silence, he has shown what Podgorica lacks most - the courage to solve the city's essential and inherited problems."
Amendments to the Law on the Election of Councilors and Representatives stipulate that all local elections in Montenegro must be held on the same day, namely June 13, 2027. The law leaves the possibility that extraordinary local elections can also be held, but no later than nine months before the 2027 elections.
Srđan Perić recently assessed that the talk of shortening the mandate of the Assembly and dismissing Mujović is "out of place", recalling that elections in Podgorica are scheduled for June 2027, and that the Government can dissolve the local parliament if it does not hold sessions for longer than six months and appoint a board of trustees, and that this situation could last until next year's elections.
Mujović: Podgorica will not stop because of one destructive politician
Saša Mujović told "Vijesti" that Podgorica will not stop "because of one ill-intentioned and destructive politician". "We have no right to give him the right to stop us. Podgorica is moving forward with this mayor and everyone who believes that the smooth functioning of the city should be supported. We are fed up with populism and ineffectual politicians, this city is looking for development", said Mujović, answering the question of whether there will be a reshuffle of the government in Podgorica after the exit of the DNP or whether it will seek the support of (part of) the opposition.
When asked how realistic it is that DNP and Slobodna will initiate his dismissal and vote on it with the opposition, Mujović replied that he encourages them to do so.
"Full support from my side," he said.
Responding to the question of how likely it is that compulsory administration will be introduced in Podgorica, he said that perhaps that scenario would be in his favor, but that he would like to have "regular parliamentary life at the level of the capital city, with regular parliamentary sessions."
"It is a way to hear different ideas and confront arguments. It is a way for the best ideas to surface for the benefit of the citizens of Podgorica. Of course, we follow the law and if necessary - compulsory administration may be established," said Mujović. According to the Law on Local Self-Government, compulsory administration is introduced by the Government dissolving the local assembly and appointing a board of trustees to take over its affairs until the constitution of a new parliament. This is done when it is determined that it has not been in session for more than six months or has not fulfilled its legal obligations.
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