Danijel Živković, acting president of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and candidate for the leader of that party, said that he knows what is needed and that he has the will to lead a team that will work and change things for the better, as well as that the DPS will be the initiator of those changes.
"Retrograde forces, which respond to democratic processes with violence - like what we have in Šavnik, which would wipe Montenegro off the map if they could, we will consign to history, to serve as an example of how primitivism and vandalism must be severely punished," he said. Živković at the DPS tribune in Šavnik.
"They are trying to impose changes and changes with violence, while the state, unfortunately, shows signs of weakness and negligence, backing down before the bullies. This is not the path that Montenegro should follow", added Živković, as announced by the DPS.
He assessed that the DPS showed that it is a "hub of stability and progress", gathering people "around the common goal of a better and stronger Montenegro".
According to Živković, DPS showed not only its strength, but also its resilience and consistency.
"Especially here, in Šavnik, each of our members showed what they are made of - courage, perseverance and an indomitable will for a better tomorrow. We will continue on the same path - we will show that DPS is not just a party - it is a force that brings progress, development and prosperity", said Živković.
He said that everyone must gather around the same goal, that they must work together and show that knowledge and expertise "reside in this party", that it has "hardworking and smart people who will lead Montenegro towards a European family and a better life".
"Together we can do anything! I know what is needed and I have the will to lead a team that will work and change things for the better. DPS will be the initiator of those changes, and Šavnik will be a bright example of our commitment and strength", said Živković.
Candidates for vice president of that party also addressed the DPS members at the forum in Šavnik.
One of them, Dušan Raičević, said that "a great injustice has been done" to the citizens of Savnik in the past year and a half, and that democracy "failed the test" in that municipality.
"What makes me especially happy and proud is the fact that - even though the election process is not over, today in the conversation with the President of the Municipality and the President of the Municipal Board, I saw dedication and unity in order to defend the electoral victory we achieved in Šavnik. It is this unity that allows us to oppose all attempts from the central government level to alter the electoral will of the citizens," said Raičević, as announced by the DPS.
He said that we are living in a time of transition in which certain changes are taking place.
"These changes do not mean that we are on the threshold of improvement and betterment. After talking with my friends here, I am sure and convinced that all of you will not allow changes at any cost, but that Šavnik will support those who have shown and proven themselves as good hosts", said the candidate for the vice president of DPS.
He believes that the DPS policy "has always been superior" and that no one questions the correctness of that policy.
"Our task is to conduct intra-party elections in an immediate manner. With this, we give you, who are the most responsible for the electoral success of DPS in all previous matches, a chance to choose the leadership that will represent you in the coming period and that will be dedicated to those signals that the base sends", assessed Raičević, and then added:
"Precisely these elections are an additional quality that we bring to our party. I believe that we need reorganization and I absolutely support it. But we should certainly be proud of the many achievements we have achieved, of all that you, as proven fighters, gave to our party".
Elvir Zvrko, also a candidate for the vice president of DPS, referred to the changes brought on August 30, 2020, as well as the situation in health care.
"All their talk about democracy falls apart when you look at the example of Šavnik, where they have not allowed the election process to be completed for years. I think all of you are living worse on a daily basis in terms of health care. Today, according to the information I have, your biggest clinic in Boan doesn't even have a nurse. This is something that must be stopped and the most urgent appeal should be made to the Ministry of Health in this regard," said Zvrko.
He believes that only DPS has "the strength to turn around this and this kind of situation in Montenegro".
"That is what we are convinced of even these days. We have full halls everywhere, which is another indication that we want to fight and persevere. They predicted our disappearance and we showed them our strength by overthrowing two governments. But we want to change, and this is something that is a constant characteristic of DPS, because we have been changing since our foundation. We are certainly changing more than our political opponents who rushed to organize congresses, because they cannot follow the Democratic Party of Socialists", concluded Zvrko.
Abaz Dizdarević, another candidate for DPS vice-president, said that the reorganization must start from "your own backyard".
"Let's start from our house, after that everything will be fine. We are witnessing a general destruction of the institutions we built. This is a bad attitude of the current government towards the state and towards every citizen of Montenegro", said Dizdarević.
He said that Montenegro has "reached certain standards", but that the new government is "constantly pulling it back".
"We are a country of civil harmony and that is why I feel especially good in this family of our Democratic Party of Socialists because we see diversity as an advantage. That's why I'm part of this system and that's why I want to move Montenegro forward with all sane people", said Dizdarević and continued:
"We are not chauvinists in order to defend ourselves from chauvinists with chauvinism. We are decent people who know how to keep a family, how to take care of neighbors, godfathers. I believe that we will also teach this government to behave properly because DPS has always had an emancipatory role".
He believes that Montenegrin society needs a "deep cleansing of both spirit and mind".
"Montenegro did not deserve this, regardless of all the mistakes we made and which we admit. The first step towards healing - the reconstruction of our house, will be these immediate party elections, through which DPS sends another emancipatory call to its political competitors. You should ask yourself and decide who are the people who will lead the DPS on your behalf", concluded Dizdarević.
DPS will hold party elections on January 28, where they will choose the president and vice-presidents of the party.
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