The months-long political blockade in Pljevlja has ended, at least temporarily. The municipal assembly resumed its work today, but relations within the ruling majority remain tense as councilors from the Europe Now Movement (PES), the Civic Movement URA, and the former councilor from the Socialist People's Party (SNP) failed to attend the session today.
At the session, the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) presented the President of the Municipality, Dario Vraneš, with a lapel pin with the flag of Montenegro.
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"The continuation of the 22nd session is attended by 23 councilors, and therefore the assembly can continue its work and make valid decisions," said Jovana Tošić, president of the Pljevlja Municipal Assembly (MA).
Although the ruling majority in Pljevlja consists of 25 out of 34 councilors, the local parliament has not functioned for almost two and a half months due to conflicts within the ruling New Serbian Democracy (NSD), led by the Mayor of the Municipality, Dario Vraneš. However, with the arrival of six of their councilors at today's session, space has been opened for the continuation of work and the adoption of important decisions for the functioning of the city, as commented by the opposition DPS.
"I assume that in this previous period, talks were held on fraternal reconciliation between NSD councilors, the mayor of the municipality, and the president of NSD in Pljevlja," said Dragiša Sokić from DPS Pljevlja.
"We can say more that there was a split in political opinions, not in the true sense of a crisis. However, that has been overcome, as you have seen, this parliamentary majority is in full force," said Vranes.
However, the assembly was not in full session because Radoman Andesilić, head of the PES councilors' club, did not attend the session today, as did not a single URE councilor or a former SNP councilor who is now in the People's Trust Movement.
"Very little is being done, and much more is being done about nationalism and rotten politics," said Saša Ječmenica, an independent councilor.
Instead of local topics, the discussion today partially returned to identity issues, after it was opened by a councilor from the opposition DPS.
"Everyone's attention was particularly drawn to how you sang with all your heart 'Nowhere's sky is blue like above Montenegro'. So when Mr. Mandić became both a Montenegrin, a sovereignist and a European, it is somehow expected that you will also follow his path. That is why I decided to give you this lapel flag of Montenegro," said Marko Tošić, a DPS councilor.
"Colleague Tošić, you are right, let's agree on one thing. The truth is that the sky is nowhere as blue as above Montenegro, and that is so. Not Montenegro, but above Montenegro, and that is the difference between your and our policies," said Vraneš.
And whether this is a real return to functionality or just a brief truce within the government will be known at the next session, when the councilors vote on the municipal budget for next year.
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