The Capital City Assembly postponed the vote, the quorum was called into question.

The Capital City Assembly postponed voting on today's agenda items until further notice, as the quorum was in question.

There were not enough councilors for the item "Elections and Appointments".

The session of the Capital City Assembly, as stated by the president of the local parliament, Jelena Borovinić Bojović, was not attended by councilors from the Movement for Podgorica – Milos Krstic, Ranka Otašević i Dragutin Vučinić.

President of the local parliament Jelena Borovinić Bojović said that everyone would be informed later about the continuation of the voting.

Representatives of the Europe Now Movement and the rest of the ruling majority negotiated with councilors from the Party of European Progress and the Turnaround regarding the vote.

Councilor of the Upheaval Srdjan Peric then told "Vijesti" that he would stay until the point of "Nomination Elections". European Union Councilor Budimir Mugoša He also confirmed to "Vijesti" that he would not stay until the end of the session.

Paunović: Former management of "Vodovod" abused a facility intended for workers' rest

The discussion on public, as well as suburban and rural water supply, is almost a decade late because it has not been harmonized with the Law on Communal Activities, said the head of the Democrats' club. Mitar Paunović.

He highlighted this during a discussion on water supply in the city and settlements.

"We have a big problem with tobacco plantations that are often unregistered and unreported. We have situations where certain owners of these plantations spend a bill of several dozen euros for their filling," Paunović stated.

He raised the issue of the fact that a facility of the "Waterworks and Sewerage" was intended for workers' rest, but, as he said, it was used by the former management of that company. He pointed out that in 2008, 260.000 euros were invested in its equipment, adding that it had been turned into "a second Vila Gorica".

Councilor of the Upheaval Mirza Krnić He appealed to the City to pay attention to the settlements, as well as to reduce the water shortage in them.

"We need to have a solution for everything. Not just for what 'Zelenilo' planted, but also for the citizens. I believe that there should be a systemic solution for watering at the city level," he said.

Klikovac: We have a problem with the Capital City's spending plan

Member of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Andrija Klikovac He said that the Capital City was interested in filling its budget, which is how 56 percent of revenues were realized in half a year. He pointed out that revenues should have been collected the previous year, but that did not happen, because the private sector, as Klikovac claims, was "slow."

He said this during the councilors' discussion on the Semi-Annual Report on total revenues and expenditures, expressed in accordance with organizational, functional and economic classification.

"We have a problem with the Capital City's spending plan. It needs a budget rebalance, or more than 50 million euros will be carried over to 2026. I just hope that the councilors from the government will not say that it is a great budget, because we carried over 50 million euros. Citizens have not received better quality services from local administration and businesses."

Expenditures, he said, were realized at 30 percent. He also criticized the large number of platitudes in the explanation of the semi-annual report.

Stefan Ćulafić (DPS) said that expenditures are only 30 percent halfway through the year and added that the City will not spend the money until the end of 2025.

"When we analyze, 2022 was much more efficient and better. This illustrates what kind of regression is happening and continues. It did not occur in 2022, nor the year before... Everything that used to be done in a month or two, today is being realized in half a year."

Head of the European Union Club Miloš Maskovic He pointed out that “this document shows that everything they indicated is being achieved.” He claims that the budget is unrealistic, and that it was adopted late due to the political situation.

"Donations were realized at only 1,7 million, while property sales remained at a symbolic 440.000 euros, or five percent of the plan. When it comes to capital investments, they were realized at only 23 percent of the plan. Subsidies for social and economic programs are worrying. When it comes to paying off debts and lawsuits, we all know that the City is struggling with expenses in that regard. I was particularly struck by the fact that the Capital City allocated 80.000 euros for compensation for damages caused by stray dog bites," said the opposition councilor.

He believes that a budget rebalance is in the offing, pointing out that it is bad that "it is not yet known where the wastewater treatment collector will be built."

Preokret councilor Srđan Perić said that costs are rising very quickly, urging the City to react so that they do not become even higher in the future.

Councilor of the Upheaval Mirza Krnić is, commenting on decisions on water supply in the city, urban, suburban and rural settlements to reduce water shortages in them.

"We need to have a solution for everything. Not just for what 'Zelenilo' planted, but also for the citizens. I believe that we should have a systemic solution for watering at the city level."

Mujović: Montenegro should respond wisely to the outstretched hand

European Union councilor Budimir Mugoša said that it would be better if instead of "the Vatican embassy, two new schools worth five million euros were built." He asked the mayor Saša Mujović how familiar he was with that process.

"I can't believe you would agree to a property worth 10 million euros being given to someone without obligation... I think this is wrong, especially this legal tangle - first consent was given, then it was taken away."

Councillor of the Party of European Progress (SEP) Jelena Knežević She said that official diplomatic relations between Montenegro and the Holy See were established in 2006. She reminded the councilors that the Vatican “was among the first countries to support Montenegrin independence.

"We have rich cultural and educational cooperation. It is widely known that we also have a representative residing in Rome. This decision is very significant, because it contributes to strengthening religious dialogue," said Knežević.

Boban Radević (For the Future of Podgorica) said that he did not agree with giving the territory "for free".

"I don't see the logic in giving away so much land. There are so many bases of people who cannot provide a roof over their heads. Instead of dealing with socially vulnerable territories or young married couples, we are giving away territory in order to improve relations on the foreign policy path," he said.

Head of the Europe Now Movement (PES) councillors' club Anđela Mićović She assessed that current geopolitical developments must be taken into account.

"This act is an expression of respect and trust... The relationship with the nunciature is international-legal. The second reason why it is important is a strategic investment... Most importantly, this decision is made on the basis of state, not market interest. A precedent already exists, and such practices are not new. This land has not been used for public projects, nor is it of vital importance for development. This is an act of statesmanship. The decision is based on national law and bilateral relations," she said.

Mayor Saša Mujović said that this story began in 2018 and confirmed that the Prime Minister of Montenegro recently visited the Vatican.

"Montenegro cannot choose who it will cooperate with. We have an obligation to be wise and to respond intelligently to an outstretched hand. In order to be part of the larger political scene, we have to give something. I think this is a political interest of a larger nature and character," Mujović assessed.

Perić: Compensation for local community presidents should be increased

The DPS councilors' club has filed a request with the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality of the Decision on the remuneration for the work of the president of the Local Community Council, said the head of the club, Andrija Klikovac.

According to him, this decision will cause "confusion" among the citizens of the capital.

"This cannot be implemented in Podgorica. If the Constitutional Court determines that the decision on local communities is unconstitutional, will you resign?" he asked. Sladjana Andjusic, Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government and Cooperation with Civil Society.

He stressed that DPS would not support this decision, adding that he left the working group "because they did not want to have a frivolous approach."

Preokret Movement councilor Srđan Perić said that local communities are "the basic idea of democracy" and added that the decision on 100 euros for the president is wrong.

Perić raised this issue during the discussion on the Proposal for a Decision on Remuneration for Work.

"Those people have more work to do than we do. They have to go places. They have real and operational costs," he noted.

According to him, even a compensation of 250 euros is small, but in return, greater engagement and responsibility from the presidents of local communities would be required.

"The amount is very controversial," said Perić.

Mayor Saša Mujović He said that the figure of 100 euros was very small, but if it had been more – 350 or 450 euros, he claims, it would have been said that someone's people had been brought in.

Perić emphasized that "if we want local communities to come to life, all citizen input must be taken into account."

"You have to show effort to make it happen," he said.

President of the City Parliament Jelena Borovinić Bojović She said that the goal of changing the Rules of Procedure was to make technical changes. As she pointed out, the text of the Rules of Procedure will be changed again by amending the Law on Local Self-Government.

As stated in the new Rules of Procedure, the chairperson of the city parliament has the same powers and duties as the president. A city parliament member, as stated, can also propose the formation of a working group to address certain issues.

An important novelty is that, if the Assembly gives the green light, councilor questions and answers will be posted on the city parliament website.

Perić said that there is arbitrariness at work, and that he does not understand why the government is rejecting some proposals.

Klikovac: DPS proposes salary increase in the Agency for Construction and Development

Andrija Klikovac, head of the DPS councilors' club, said that he had carefully analyzed the work plan of the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica. He noted that DPS "left behind a lot of projects and significant staff in that company."

"The suggestion is related to staff. I believe that there should be a special part of the program that will relate to creating better working conditions for all engineers working in the Agency. There is a large deficit of civil engineers in the market... We must make sure that we do not have supervisors on construction sites who will only sign books, without establishing facts on the ground. If we want to do this work, we must have a development plan for some future period. We must link the work of the Agency with the University of Montenegro (UCG). The second suggestion relates to the AND1 facility. That facility has significantly deteriorated. It is losing value. The rent for that facility will be significantly lower compared to the previous period," Klikovac pointed out, adding that DPS will propose an increase in salaries for employees in that company.

Mayor Saša Mujović thanked Klikovac for the "great messages" he sent to the Agency's director To Bajko Vučićević.

"The AND1 location will be given to the Parliament of Montenegro to promote cooperation with the European Union. By December, we will have a very well-organized and representative facility in that area."

Vučićević agreed with Klikovac's claim that the Agency must strengthen its staff.

Mirza Krnić on behalf of the Preokret Movement, he emphasized that the plan of the Agency for the Construction and Development of Podgorica is ambitious, but he questioned the possibility of its full implementation. He emphasized that the fact that the Agency is conducting 300 court cases is a great responsibility. He asked Vučićević whether and how the cases are classified, and that it is important to know the status of each one.

Vučićević replied that it would be ungrateful to prejudge the Agency's legal disputes.

Krnić: Podgorica is expanding without a recovery plan

Klikovac said that the question arises as to how to plan for projects that have already begun "if we know that the funds will not be sufficient for announcements or projects that have already begun." He commented that it is very bad that the Spatial Planning Program of the Capital City for this year is being discussed at the end of July.

"It was announced that Vojislavljevića Boulevard would be built on May 12th. The Traffic Administration informed the City that the property and legal relations have not been completed on that route. Nor will they be completed, in the next six months, on the entire route. You have a tender that has been announced again. That tender was won by a company that sells furniture. Fortunately, that tender was canceled so that the boulevard would not be completed in ten years," he said.

According to him, the document is similar to the one prepared by the former director of the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica. Dragan SenicAs he said, the realization of the City's capital budget for half a year is "only 20 percent."

"You have a very low level of project implementation. I think this is a document that lists everything that could be listed, but the implementation on the ground is very poor. This is the second year in a row that implementation has been like this," Klikovac pointed out, emphasizing that the document is very problematic.

Mayor Saša Mujović said that when he took up the position, he "didn't find everything going well" in the city.

"My direct communication was with the head of the Traffic Administration and I learned that no project started in a way that the expropriation was 100 percent completed... Imagine a situation where I forced people to work at any cost. Imagine if the scenario on Jaz Boulevard happened, and some pipes burst. Imagine if we cut the cables and left the Zabjelo settlement without water and electricity... The work started when it was time. I don't have any hidden trump cards...", he said.

Tamara Crnogorčić (Europe Now Movement) told Klikovac to harmonize his positions regarding the former director of the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica, Dragan Senić, and determine "whether he is bad or good."

Klikovac replied that Senić used to "satisfy the conditions and work well with the former mayor" Oliver Injac".

"Don't defend Ms. Injac. As for this program, it's being adopted very late. It's August, and I don't think it should ever happen again...", he said.

Stefan Ćulafić (DPS) said that one of the two most important documents that can be voted on at the plenum is being discussed.

"It's a completely different picture when it's adopted in May, and another when you do it on the last possible day. The next possible opportunity would be somewhere in September. There is no excuse for that. This should have been discussed at least two months ago. I think the cause of that is the political preparation of the terrain. This plan is overambitious and unrealistic. By June 13, 2027, if 50 percent of this is realized, it will be a terrible thing for the citizens of Podgorica."

According to him, the slow implementation of key projects will cost the citizens of Podgorica a lot.

Ksenija Aranitović, a councilor from the opposition DPS, said that she was not happy that the expropriation of part of the Vojislavljević Boulevard route had not been completed.

Mirjana Radulović (DPS) said that the life of the city must not stop, pointing out that something "that should have been brought in February or March, we are bringing today."

"These are lands on which the city has not yet measured ownership relations and has not carried out expropriation. The facilities function on temporary septic tanks. We also have a similar situation in Zabjelo behind the former 'Titeks' factory. In that area, buildings are sprouting like mushrooms after rain."

Srđan Perić from the Preokret Movement is concerned that “the current government does not see much to do with how the capital city is developing.” He appealed for “an inhumane life called building upon building.”

"We have a problem of practice when a single gesture should solve the problem. There is nothing in the Rehabilitation Plan that foresees the prevention of future damage to the space... The motive for the fire may be different, but the answer to that is inappropriately short," assessed Perić, adding that the biggest concern is "that the rehabilitation plan is small."

Miloš Mašković (European Alliance) said that "what happened to Mujović in Gorica is what I deserved." He told the councilor Mitra Šušić (NSD) that he should not have defended him.

"I wouldn't dare comment in that way on some of the citizens who expressed their dissatisfaction."

The head of the PES councilors' club, Anđela Mićović, told Mašković, "who is he to tell a university professor, an intellectual, a family man that he is a fascist?"

"Do you have any sense of political shame? You are a young man, a student... With this action, you are desecrating the role of a student," she assessed.

Mašković replied that she had learned what was written, adding that there was no need to "make Mr. Mujović an even bigger victim."

Mujović said that Mašković is also a member of the European Union Miloš Djurickovic whistled at Gorica.

"Still, I wish you, even though you are not worthy of an answer, support. That evil and hatred that live within you will consume you. You are a young man, don't let that happen...", he said.

Mašković told him that he had "insulted the office of mayor in the worst possible way."

"I'm ashamed that you're the mayor. You've shown how a university professor shouldn't behave."

Đuričković said that he did not understand why the mayor was "grudgeful" of the European Union.

"The message was that you would not speak in Gorica that day. And I told you, there is no speech. That was what I and the citizens who gathered in Gorica that day told you. The message that day was very simple and understandable. You experienced it as a personal insult. I am sorry that you did not sit down and think about why people sent you that message. They did not send it to you personally, but to a symbol of a policy in Podgorica. And that policy is silent about the Thirteenth of July Award....".

Mujović said he ignored warnings not to appear at the Partisan Fighter Monument in Gorica and attempt to give a speech. He said that by doing so, he would be "throwing everything he had achieved down the drain."

Preokret councilor Mirza Krnić pointed out that resolving property rights issues will cost the city 82 million euros and added that this figure refers to projects "that are yet to be implemented."

"Podgorica is expanding, but there is no rehabilitation plan or vision. Without that, future generations will also pay for expropriation... We lack a vision of the quality of life. We lack wide boulevards, as well as parks," said Krnić.

Perić: Local government mandate shortened without consultation

Perić asked Mujović and the president of the local parliament, Jelena Borovinić Bojović, how they commented on the fact that the current government in the city had its mandate shortened by a year and a half.

"Local self-government has been completely ignored. The state government has no right to deny us what we are entitled to. Regardless of the fact that it is an agreement of the political majority. We have a shortened term, and we did not decide anything about it."

A few days ago, with the votes of 67 members of the Parliament of Montenegro "in favor", a proposal was adopted to hold local elections in all cities on one day - June 13, 2027.

Borovinić Bojović said that the majority of councilors "are not interested in shortening their mandate."

"This was about a higher goal. It was about some alignment with legal procedures... We had some consultations, but only at the level of the community of municipalities...", she said, adding "that this is about a higher goal when it comes to the state globally."

Borovinić Bojović: About Sofija Klikovac at an emergency meeting on Monday

The session of the Capital City Assembly, as stated by the president of the local parliament, Jelena Borovinić Bojović, was not attended by the councilors of the Movement for Podgorica – Miloš Krstić, Ranka Otašević and Dragutin Vučinić.

Mujović said that the councilors must decide as soon as possible on naming the preschool institution after him. To Sofia Klikovac, and if they don't do it before September, he emphasized, she won't be able to start working.

"If we can take into account that public interest. Let's put it at the forefront now. An alternative option would be to have two sessions in August and for this agenda item to be adopted, all with the goal of that preschool institution starting operations," said Mujović.

Klikovac emphasized that they are in favor of fully respecting the Rules of Procedure of the local parliament.

"And as we have said publicly, we will support naming this public institution after Sofija Klikovac. We do not know what is in the documents. I think we should not make such decisions on such an important topic. The councilors cannot be adequately informed," he said.

Mašković said that the Rules of Procedure of the Capital City Assembly should not be violated, because that would pave the way for "some other time, some proposal, to be on the agenda in a similar way."

New Serbian Democracy (NSD) councilor Mitar Šušić said that the administration should be allowed to miss the deadline this time.

Borovinić Borović said that she was clear about the arguments of both sides, but that the deadline had been missed due to administrative conditions.

"I am not someone who advocates changes and violations of the Rules of Procedure, so we have to stick to form in most situations. Except for some that are exceptionally and strategically important. There are reasons for both decisions. I think the current situation is such that I have to decide whether to violate the Rules of Procedure or not...", she said.

Klikovac (DPS) said that the Rules of Procedure should not be violated for legal reasons, adding that opposition councilors will be at the first upcoming emergency session to vote on this item.

The president of the local parliament said that she will schedule a special session in early August during which she will discuss and adopt a proposal to name the preschool after Sofia Klikovac.