Muratović: Kovačević, like Mandić, would reach the same goal through different paths

The President of the Municipal Board of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Nikšić, Boris Muratović, assessed that the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, "obviously follows the line of work of Andrija Mandić - 'that the same goal can be reached through different paths'".

Kovačević yesterday He said that he has a different emotional relationship towards May 21st - Montenegro's Independence Day, but that he is open to talking to the opposition and accepting its proposals when it comes to marking that date.

"Since the Independence Day of Montenegro, May 21, is not a matter of daily politics, but a fundamental value of our statehood and identity, it is important to point out the evident contradiction in the actions of the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević. Today's Marko Kovačević obviously follows the line of work of Andrija Mandić - "that the same goal can be reached through different paths", and calls for a joint design of the celebration of May 21, towards which, as he said, he has a different emotional relationship. This statement also hides the entire essence of the policy that Kovačević represents - a policy that does not recognize an independent Montenegro, which has been working all this time to dismantle its civic being, that is, a policy that celebrates the Podgorica Assembly, more precisely the disappearance of Montenegro", said Muratović.

He added that "fortunately, neither the Nikšić nor the Montenegrin public suffers from amnesia."

"And they well remember the intolerance towards the state and state symbols, which Kovačević continuously demonstrated - from the scandalous middle finger during the singing of the national anthem, to the accountability before the Serbian Parliament's Diaspora Committee when he belittled the state framework of the country in which he was elected mayor, to the statements that deeply divided Montenegrin society, among which the one that was particularly remembered was 'that Montenegrins will be treated as they once treated Turks'."

He added that a change in Kovačević's rhetoric cannot erase political responsibility for previous actions.

"Nor can it have credibility, because it is not accompanied by a clear and unambiguous distancing from previous actions subordinated to the negation and belittling of Montenegro. Kovačević, in continuity, including through his appearance at the session of the Nikšić Municipal Assembly, which he tried to make more modest, probably wants to mask the essence and does not apologize to the citizens of Montenegro for his attitude towards the state in which he performs the function of president of the territorially largest municipality, which is based on disrespect, belittling and belittling independent Montenegro. Therefore, with Kovačević, who does not perceive May 21 as one of the most sacred dates in the recent history of Montenegro and who has not demonstrated a sincere commitment to the values ​​of an independent and civic Montenegro, we cannot talk about celebrating the 20th anniversary of Montenegro's independence, because by sitting at the same table with those who have repeatedly attacked the state's dignity, we would be degrading this great holiday for every citizen of Montenegro who cherishes love for their homeland."

Muratović said that DPS will mark Independence Day in a fitting manner.

"This way, we will preserve the seriousness and dignity of the celebration of May 21st and prevent an attempt to politically instrumentalize it by people who still dispute the regularity of the 2006 Referendum on the Independence of Montenegro. In the end, we are convinced that when, and that day is not far off, when Mandić's and Kovačević's policies end up in the garbage dump where all nationalist ideas end up, all citizens of Montenegro, regardless of all differences, without any divisions, will celebrate this great holiday together," said Muratović.