Details from the prime minister's watch:
Ćinćur responded to Spajić that she believed that for the second time in a row she had not received an answer to her question, and that she had not received an answer to any of the dilemmas she presented.
"You will not only be responsible for any damage that may occur, but also some MPs who vote for the concession," she said.
Then, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Boris Pejović, closed the session.
CIVIS MP Maja Vučelić said that Chapters 23 and 24 are a test for the Montenegrin judiciary and democracy, but that she is here today to talk about freedom of speech, stating that the first-instance decision of the Basic Court in Podgorica, which obliges her to pay two thousand euros to DNP MP Milan Knežević, is aimed at limiting her political activities.
Spajić said that the executive branch cannot influence court decisions, nor does it want to, thanking Vučelić for her support for European integration.
Independent MP Radinka Ćinćur, speaking about the airport concession, said that she believes it is much better for the state to invest in airports, now that the company has around 50 million euros in its account.
She asked Spajić how the Government would react if the courts overturned the tender procedure and how the Government would overcome the disputed points of the contract.
"This is a waiver of the state's sovereignty over non-commercial property, which did not even exist in the cases of the Aluminum Plant or the Steel Plant... In this case, the penalties that Montenegro would pay would be between 100 and 500 million euros... The agreement prohibits Montenegro from building airports in the next 30 years, nor from granting land under concession for the construction of airports, except in Nikšić, Ulcinj and Berane," she stated.
Ćinćur noted that in all disputes, the interpretation of contracts before Montenegrin courts will be in English, which violates the Language Law.
Spajić said he thought Ćinćur missed the point to the government, and that the World Bank supervised the entire process, as well as that Montenegrin courts and second-instance institutions ruled against the second-placed bidder.
"Refer all questions to Washington. That agreement will be in the Assembly, we don't want to skip a single step."
The head of the DPS parliamentary group, Andrija Nikolić, said that several truths and manipulations were deliberately told regarding amendments to the Constitution.
"After the Assembly votes by a two-thirds majority for amendments to the Constitution, the Constitutional Committee is convened, followed by a discussion that must not last less than a month," Nikolić said, telling Spajić not to manipulate and accuse the opposition of something for which he has no jurisdiction.
"In the end, the Minister of European Affairs said that the opposition is not needed for this job. Is that true? That's the point, it was more important for you to pass laws on internal affairs and the National Security Agency in this parliament, which do not exist in Georgia and Moldova," Nikolić said.
Spajić replied to Nikolić that if the constitutional amendments are not voted on, then they do not have the right to vote on amendments to the Constitution for a year.
"I initiated that dialogue, I called you to my office two months ago... Who would risk that? They would tarnish our European path. I invite you to speak out about it. Or maybe the EU is setting up tobacco scandals again...", Spajić asked.
"Help or don't help if you can't help," the Prime Minister said.
Nikolić claimed that the government, led by the speaker of parliament, missed deadlines, and that their "irresponsibility and arrogance" resulted in a missed opportunity for 4,6 million euros from European funds.
"After you adopted the laws on internal affairs and the ANB, you betrayed our trust... We remained in parliament, and reached out and said that we were offering a platform on the final stage of the European path," he said.
"We gave you a concrete offer... You created a problem and now you don't know how to solve it... In 2015, the infamous Milo Đukanović government voted for a government of electoral confidence, when opposition parties entered the government, and we are not asking to enter the government, which is another untruth," Nikolić added.
Mugoša asked Spajić if he knew who was solely to blame for the delay in constitutional changes.
"The majority," Mugoša himself replied, saying that the majority puts laws on the agenda, and that the government bargains over everything.
"Don't be nervous, it's your fault... You mention a concentration government, there's no such thing as a concentration government. If we wanted to be part of this government, we would be, and you know that very well. Don't worry about the promises of the citizens. Did you say before the 2023 elections that you wouldn't go with the former Democratic Front and DPS. And?" he added.
Mugoša told Spajić not to use cumulative data, because it is offensive, because for many products they have increased by 100, 200, 500 percent, not 40.
"People are disappointed because you are manipulating it," he said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Boris Pejović (PES) told Mugoša that it was not true that there was no item on the agenda to amend the Constitution, to which Mugoša said that it was not true that he said that it was not on the agenda, but that they did not vote on it.
Boris Mugoša, head of the European Alliance parliamentary group, said that it was clear that Spasjić had not even read the platform proposed by part of the opposition, and that this confirmed that he was "in the clutches" of other coalition partners.
"As for Podgorica, we said that we would do everything to prevent it from coming under compulsory administration, so that you could use the 150 million euros for pre-election purposes. But what you are talking about a coalition with the DNP is not true. It is also not true that 4,6 million euros were lost due to the opposition, because those measures were postponed until the end of June, and now it is the beginning of June. I know for sure that through your inaction you have fulfilled 57 percent of the obligations from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. So I will ask you not to manipulate," he said.
Mugoša said that a large number of citizens can hardly buy everything they need with the income they have, and that he warned about the consequences of the Europe Now 1 and 2 programs.
"Do you know that Serbia had a higher average net salary than us in March... You allowed countries in the region to overtake us... Do you know that Monstat counts companies with over 10 employees as average salary, while most companies in Montenegro have under 10 employees... 74 percent of employees in Montenegro have a salary of under 1.000 euros... That's why I'm telling you about the median salary, which is higher in both BiH and Serbia...", Mugoša said, adding that the government is doing nothing to reduce inflation, that there are no anti-inflation packages...
He said that the Government is relying on the increased value of VAT, which, according to him, is not a good model, because it affects those who have the least.
"My child could have done that - reduced his contributions, which is what you did," Mugoša said.
Spajić responded that Mugoša said that citizens predominantly voted for PES because of economic reforms, and that was true.
"If we take into account cumulative inflation, average salaries are higher by a full 40 percent... And that's where the story about salaries ends," said Spajić.
He said that regarding pensions, the news earlier was that they were regular, but now they have been increased.
"As for other things, I have to tell you that the Constitution must be changed by the end of June, which is now theoretically impossible, due to your conditioning... Please refute me... You are the people people voted for because they thought you were a pro-European alliance... You will be judged by the citizens for your lack of performance in European citizens... You are giving us too much of an advantage for the 2027 elections, because you have nothing to offer in the field of European integration," said Spajić.
The Bosniak Party MP asked Spajić how he would improve the diaspora's connection with the state of Montenegro, and how the proposed amendments to the law on permanent residence and temporary residence could affect the diaspora.
Spajić said that he agreed with Omeragić that the diaspora is extremely important, and that people from the diaspora are the biggest supporters of Montenegro's European path.
"Montenegro will be much closer to them through European integration," the Prime Minister added.
Omeragić said that European integration is confirmation that all existing differences are being reduced.
Spajić thanked Knežević, urging him to vote for the constitutional changes, and Knežević asked: "Can I be in the concentration government," to which Spajić replied - "Yes."
"Mr. Knežević, I have here the VAT numbers for domestic sales, which is approximately one-third of the total VAT. From May 18 to 24, we had an increase of 24 percent in VAT. You are talking about an investment of three million euros, and the state earned eight million euros more due to the celebration... If we just look at the numbers - three million given, eight million earned... I did not mention the concentration government, but Mr. Damir Šehović. Colleagues from the same party (SD) have offered you power in Podgorica... A coalition is being cooked up in Podgorica against the current mayor... I support that, call it the Soviet Union of coalitions, come out to the citizens with those results, to return Montenegro to the path of the unified DPS from the 90s," Spajić said, again calling on Knežević to vote for constitutional changes.
Knežević said that a coalition in Podgorica with entities of the opposite political orientation is not possible for them.
"Your (PES) councilor in Budva votes together with DPS, and the Bosniak Party is in coalition with DPS in Bijelo Polje, and with the Soviet Union in Gusinje... Don't blame me for that," he said.
"Don't talk to me about collecting VAT... DNP voted for every law with a blue flag, we provided a quorum when other opposition colleagues were not present," he added.
DNP leader Milan Knežević said that he feels like an "orphan" from Hans Christian Andresen's fairy tales, because he learned from Spajić's statement that there was talk of a concentration government, and that only the DNP was not offered a place in that government.
"So we see that he got angry with those from the European Union, which he calls the Soviet Union. Sattler tried to bring them all together," said Knežević, and he also quoted verses from the anthem of the Soviet Union.
He said that "the entire concentration government" could go to Sattler to listen to them all, and that he was interested in how much the Independence Day celebration cost.
"It's true that I didn't celebrate, it's true that I believe that the referendum was stolen, but I think it would be very important for us to know how much these performers were paid, starting with Mr. Ricky Martin and onwards," he said.
"I got the impression, the way you were implementing all this, that you didn't even know that 20 years of independence would be celebrated in 2026... The celebration at Šipčanik was like the Leskovac barbecue in Sutomore in '96 - someone got Karađorđeva, someone got chicken drumstick, and we all got our friend Ricky Martin," he added.
Knežević claims that Žuti Serhatlić and Zdravko Đuranović received 300 euros each from the Music Center for their performances.
Spajić responded that he first of all wanted to congratulate Knežević on the agreement that the Capital City and the Government reached with the citizens of Botun, and that he is convinced that the best solutions will be reached for all local communities in Montenegro.
"If anyone wants well for Zeta and Botun, then it is this government and the majority," he added.
Spajić said that, as for the Independence Day celebration, he thought it was dignified, and that he thought there was a lot of positive energy.
"There is no more discrimination, everyone can get a job... I know there are still a lot of unemployed people, a lot of tenants... But we will do our best to solve it," he said.
Spajić said that he believes Knežević's word that the celebration cost three million euros, and that all information on how much everyone was paid for Independence Day will be available on the Government's website.
Knežević said that it would not be right for him to be at that celebration, because he is a "party breaker" and would invite a "concentration government".
As for Botun, Knežević said that there was no agreement with the residents of that Zeta village, but that it was about 3,4 people who "imagined" that they had the right to represent 16.000 citizens of Zeta.
"Everyone who once voted for a common state turns out to have voted for an independent state, and only we from the DNP are for a common state," he added.
Knežević then read Spajić's written response, noting that the response claimed that the payment of the fee was ongoing.
"So you will first pay the fees, then sign the contracts...", said Knežević.
He stated that the response quoted that the Government was guided by Aristotle's quote about "the good and happy life", but that it would have been too much if the Government had also brought in "Aristotle and Aristophanes and Alexander the Great" to know how much everyone was paid.
Knežević asked how many pensioners listened to Ricky Martin, and that he was asking because the May pension increase was five euros and 30 cents.
"With that, you can buy three liters of fuel... With those three liters of fuel, you can set yourself on fire like Jan Palach in 1968 when Soviet troops entered Prague, so it's not like I'm all for the Soviet Union," he said.
He said he wanted to quote "one of his Zeća women", not Aristotle.
"They asked her when she returned from the market if she had made any money... She said she would have made money if she hadn't given back her change... I urge pensioners to seek a refund of the VAT from Ricky Martin's performance," he added.
The head of the Democratic parliamentary group, Boris Bogdanović, said that only three people in Montenegro - Veselin Pejović, Aco Đukanović and the owner of "Bemax" - had an estimated value of several billion euros, and that they "squeezed" it from citizens.
He asked whether it was time to break with, as he said, the criminal and corrupt rhetoric of the former authorities.
"Montenegro was never love for them, but building material... They loaded it onto Bemax trucks... The most dangerous thing is when a political opponent creates a factory of lies, behind which he hides... Then we are not talking about democracy, but about the moral decay of one man and one group of people," Bogdanović said.
Spajić said that Bogdanović opened an important topic, which the EU is currently dealing with.
"The EU will certainly be the biggest opponent of such actions... For the first time in Montenegro, we have a mix of foreign policy factors and organized crime groups that are acting together against our country's European path... It has been like this for about 4,5 months, and the EU is helping us fight against it. We have opened our eyes. We see some developments outside Montenegro that are directly related to the activities of organized crime groups...", he stated.
Boris Mugoša (European Alliance) reacted procedurally, stating that Spajić was once again, in a discussion with other MPs, taking issue with the political entity to which he (Mugoša) belongs.
"He is in a special mood today. In your government you have people who are ministers and who were in the SD, you appoint people who were in the SD as directors," he said, telling Spajić that he "has to get serious" and that he "has no idea about the Airport."
"You don't know what condition they were in when they were taken over in 2004. As for the airport, the Bosniak Party was at the head of the Ministry that appointed those who are managing it," he added.
Spajić told Abazović that while he was prime minister, he (Abazović) could have called a session of the executive branch at any time while he was in office, at which he could have given up the concession of Montenegrin airports.
"Hindsight is the best wisdom... While you were prime minister, you implemented some decisions autocratically, so I'm told... You did not give up on the 2018 concession, you did not change the route of the Tivat-Jaz boulevard, which is why the state now has to expropriate... You forced the state to expropriate - because of your decision to put the boulevard right next to the fence of the Tivat airport," Spajić stated.
"A colleague from the SD is whispering to you that they have been hiding dogs and cats in the Airports... That is the most shameful leadership... That was the last person you should listen to, you from the SD. They had their paw under the Airports, when there was no investment," the prime minister added.
Spajić said that Abazović spoke about changes to the rules in the tender, and that he was bad at interpreting the contract legally, and that it was clear that he "had no idea" what he was reading.
"Why should South Koreans have to answer for the corruption of someone from the SD in 2017? That makes no sense. I urge you to vote for constitutional changes, because those votes would be written in golden letters. Give this country a European future," said Spajić.
Abazović replied to Spajić that he had to "maintain a certain level" and that he had to understand that he was a statesman, not running a private company.
"Regarding the boulevard, that boulevard had to be built 30 years ago. I didn't do that project, but the same people who are part of your government. Just as you deceived people for Velje Brdo, so you deceived people for the boulevard... When it comes to the airport concession, what I read does not apply to corruption in the past, but in the future. Look at the list of airports in the region - how the airport in Split or Pristina works," said the leader of the GP URA.
Abazović said that if the European path is "paved with corruption," it is not for him.
"I am not for that path. I am for the European path, which implies the rule of law, a civil state, a better judiciary, prosecutor's office, police, healthcare...", he added.
Abazović replied to Spajić that he first wanted to answer him for the "evil tongues".
"When I became prime minister, 600.000 euros were in the airport's accounts, when I left there were 20 million. When it comes to regional airports, they went under concession a long time ago and did not achieve success overnight. You know what the evil tongues say? That one of you took money to set all this up. You said you didn't believe it, and I'll say this - first let's see the contract," said Abazović.
He stated that the Turkish consortium accused the government of changing the tender conditions, and that one company that Spajić wanted to favor did not have the 80 points required in the first vote, so that "Spajić's advisor came in and created chaos", and that in the second vote, that company received over the required 80 points.
"Do you know who Mr. Bodin Bulatović is? Did anyone from the top of the government have contact with him? Is it true that a Belgrade firm that provides legal advice was involved?", asked Abazović.
He then read out the tender rules, which had allegedly changed during the process, including that in the new contract the concessionaire is not responsible for the corrupt actions of subcontractors it hires.
As his solution, he proposed abandoning the 2018 concession, opening a new one, but only for the airport in Tivat, and for the state to reconstruct the Podgorica airport.
Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Milan Knežević reacted procedurally, saying that he wanted to respond to Abazović regarding his claims that Knežević was ready to go to the prosecutor to give a statement regarding the concession of the Podgorica airport in Tivat.
"I want to repeat that I attended the meeting of the parliamentary majority leaders when there was talk of a second vote because the South Koreans did not pass 80 points... Then I said that someone took the money, and now I'm going a step further and saying that someone took the money from both the French and the Americans and now everyone is after him... I'm ready to repeat that in the prosecution," said Knežević.
Abazović said that Knežević said that the state property concession procedure was discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary majority, and that it was a job for the Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT).
Nurković said that he would not call the prosecutor's office, which Abazović requested, because he (Nurković) did not have that information.
Knežević then resumed the procedure, repeating that one person or one group of people took money from South Koreans, Americans and French people, and that he was ready to give a statement to the prosecution.
The leader of the Civic Movement (GP) URA, Dritan Abazović, said that he wanted to express full support for pensioners, and that there was a possibility of an extraordinary adjustment of 40 euros, saying that Spajić was the address to turn to if pensions were increased by only five euros.
"If you don't know how to solve the problem, resign, here's who can solve it," said Abazović, alluding to himself, while speaking about the opposition's platform for overcoming the political crisis.
He then moved on to the question he had asked Spajić, regarding the concession of the airports in Podgorica and Tivat, saying that he did not understand why the only two functional airports in the country would be put up for concession.
"Why is the concession being made at a 2018 estimate of 100 million euros, and the latest estimate is that the value of the Airport's assets is 260 million euros... My question is why would they give a monopoly to someone at a price below any level," asked Abazović.
"What was the motive to accept a certain price if we know that there is nothing in Montenegro that remains at the same price as in 2018... Everything is more expensive, except drugs... How is it possible that the family silver of Montenegro will be put on a 30-year drum," added the head of the URA Border Guard.
Spajić responded to Abazović that he had asked a "great question" and that it was useful to "discuss the topic of the Airport."
"Evil tongues say that when you were prime minister, you increased taxes at Montenegrin airports in order to strengthen regional airports... I don't believe that... Back then, low-cost carriers were leaving Montenegro, now they are returning and opening bases," Spajić said.
He said that Abazović was talking about a sale, not a concession.
"The increase in revenue generated by the concessionaire is an increase in revenue for the state. To give an illustrative example. If you buy something for 10 euros at the airport, 2,1 euros goes to the state through VAT, and 3,5 goes to the state through the concession... So 5,6 euros goes to the state, and 4,4 euros to the concessionaire, who needs to pay workers, etc. from that...", Spajić said.
The Prime Minister said that they would never sell the airports, and that the Government had done its job, and that he hoped that the Parliament would quickly do its job.
"A concession is not a sale... Now we will build a highway from the concession, and it will not be a state loan... I think it is very important that we have the largest possible volume of investments so that we can receive as many tourists as possible," said Spajić.
The head of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) parliamentary group, Dejan Đurović, asked Spajić how much the government estimates that infrastructure projects will contribute to economic growth.
"It is also important to consider how much the implementation of the capital investment master plan will contribute to attracting foreign investment...", said Spajić.
Spajić said that Montenegro will invest 5,8 billion euros in crucial infrastructure by the end of 2030.
"Do you remember the jokes from my opposition colleague when I said that capital investments would be 900 million euros per year... And now we have an official document that says we will have 945 million euros per year... If we had prepared more projects than before (the previous government), this budget would have been 10 billion, but these 5,8 billion are a record...", said the Prime Minister.
He repeated the claim that 4,6 million euros that should have been invested in healthcare and education were lost due to the opposition.
"I hope you will not block the European path... We have institutions that will be completely independent, and we are ready to place them as constitutional categories. Which opposition does not want that? I ask these young people from the opposition not to listen to the poisonous advice of the old team... Come to this side... Vote only for European laws. Maybe we will vote only for that with URA and independent MPs," said Spajić, after which they heard laughter from the part of the hall where the opposition MPs are sitting.
Boris Mugoša told Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić that they should have warned the Prime Minister because he mentioned him and the European Union in a discussion with Živković, and that he would not mention Spajić's offer to include the European Union in the government.
"It's a shame to pretend to know something... I suggest you learn something about the Soviet Union," Mugoša said.
Živković told Spajić that he (Spajić) was responsible for the rise in inflation in Montenegro, which had eaten up all the growth in wages.
"You can't understand a normal person, because you are surrounded by people who are used to privilege... You have to step out of that framework - no one understands the stories about GDP and Excel spreadsheets when they go to the market... Citizens in the 1990s received billions, so they could buy a kilo of bananas and a sugar cube with that," he said.
The head of the DPS said that a CT scan for a cancer patient is scheduled for December, and that citizens have been waiting for surgeries for two years...
"You have no answers to any of the questions of life - not in the areas of healthcare, infrastructure, or the economy... These people who live lives like this will not support you. In the next elections, you will pay the price for your populist policies," Živković said.
Spajić responded to Živković's comment by saying that he thought the DPS leader would "persuade him that reducing pensions is the right move," stating that in the past Živković had cited "reducing pensions in Austria" as a positive example.
"Why did you refuse to vote on constitutional changes, which is why we lost 4,6 million euros from the EU Growth Plan... When it depended on the opposition, we did not get your vote... I know that you are personally pro-European, but you are in a party that is not pro-European... Tell me if you stand behind the statement of one of your party members who said that the EU is setting up the tobacco affair for the DPS... DPS has been opening chapters for eight years, and neighboring Albania opened chapters in 13 months," he added.
He told the head of the European Union parliamentary group, Boris Mugoša, that "they are now some kind of European Union, but in fact they are the Soviet Union."
"Start singing the anthem of the Soviet Union," Spajić told Mugoša, urging the opposition to help pass constitutional changes related to the EU.
"You don't want to help us enter the EU... Maybe it's because of that agreement (DPS with Putin's United Russia)," Spajić said.
Živković responded to Spajić that he "persistently runs away from the field of economics" and that citizens do not live off of "GDP growth and Excel spreadsheets", adding that Spajić did not answer any of his questions.
"Did you promise an average pension of 600 euros from January 1, 2025? Did you promise that or did we?" Živković asked.
He said that 1.500 patients are waiting for orthopedic surgery, and that 700 citizens, mostly elderly, are waiting for hip replacement, and that they are waiting for a long time...
"You come to tell us how the standard of living of citizens has increased... You are no financial wizard, you have put the sovereignty of this country at stake... Pensioners will appreciate what you have done for them in the next parliamentary elections... You will be defeated by the percentage of support," Živković asserted.
The head of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Danijel Živković, asked Spajić how he had "destroyed the standard of living of Montenegrin citizens" with his economic policy.
"This is not economic policy, but a set of populist measures aimed at keeping you as prime minister for as long as possible... You have made an effort to destroy the standard of living of citizens in a multi-sectoral manner. This is most noticeable when it comes to inflation, the inability to solve the housing issue due to high prices per square meter, the state of the healthcare system... You promised a renaissance of the Montenegrin economy, and you have endangered citizens, especially senior citizens, who are on the brink of existence," Živković stated.
He said that Spajić managed to do what no one else had, which was to equalize pensioners with 15 years of service and 40 years of service.
"Then why did they pay for these 25 years of difference?" asked Živković, saying that Spajić is a champion of promises made but not fulfilled.
The leader of the strongest opposition party asked Spajić how he sees the sustainability of the Pension and Disability Fund (PIO) and the standard of living of citizens.
Spajić responded that the economic terrain is "slippery terrain", and that in the campaign for the 2023 parliamentary elections, DPS promised a minimum pension of 350 euros, which is a step forward compared to "the feudal era of DPS when pensions were below 200 euros".
"The first thing this government did was create a minimum of human dignity for these people (pensioners)... You're talking about inflation, we know very well what caused it - the war in Ukraine and the war in Iran, that's imported inflation... You're talking about the sustainability of the Pension Fund? You abolished the Pension Fund in 2009 and made it meaningless, because the contributions paid into the Pension Fund go directly to the treasury, because it (the Fund) is one of the spending units... DPS did that, as it did for the Health Fund," Spajić said.
The Prime Minister said that DPS created the economic system, and that PES improved it.
"The fiscal sustainability of our country is the best ever... That is something to be proud of. At the end of 2020, you left us with a net debt of 89 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and before the corona it was 75 percent - now it is 55 percent," claims Spajić.
He says that citizens know best that the current majority did the best they could in the circumstances they inherited, and that they will "just do what they can."
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