BLOG Perić new President of the Capital City Assembly

With 30 votes "in favor", Preokret leader and councilor Srđan Perić is the new speaker of the Podgorica parliament.

Perić thanked Aranitović for the good conduct of the session and for the trust shown. 

"I do not see this function as a political triumph... The current state of affairs represents the reality of the political moment in Podgorica."

He said that they have a lot of work ahead of them and that citizens expect councilors to address them more. 

"I do not expect us to agree on everything. The interests of Podgorica must be above party interests," said Perić. 

A secret ballot is underway for Perić to be elected President of the Podgorica Assembly. 

Mašković (ES) said that this is perhaps the best "picture" of how "people on the left care about the interests of Podgorica." He says that the fact that they are not in the hall is sufficient indicator.

The PES, Democrats and PzPG clubs left the hall a little over half an hour ago. 

Mašković said that they are making a good and correct move aimed at enabling the functioning of Podgorica and its institutions. 

Filip Terzić, a DPS councilor, said that having only one item on the agenda was a "diagnosis of the authorities." He said that they had the opportunity to hear everything that was removed from the agenda.

Milić (DNP) said that the problem occurred at the moment when the issue of concessions for the airport began to be raised. 

"Then a member of the Board of Directors from PES suddenly resigned. With his resignation, the entire board falls," he announced.

Bulatović (DNP) said that with the election of Perić, there will be no forced administration, no banditry, and no privatization of the budget of all citizens.

"There is no false story about cooperation between DNP and DPS. There is no logging in the Capital. There is no vote for Saša Mujović's report. There is a controlling role for parliament. There is a DNP coalition with the interests of the citizens of Podgorica... There are calls for Saša Mujović to resign, but it will not happen," he said.

Abdić (DPS) said that he only wants to hear good things from us, adding that he does not play with the feelings and emotions of others.

"We have not made any agreements that would be to your detriment. We will not disappoint you... We will not let down your expectations... There is no false hiding or showing off with us. We do everything openly and transparently. We do not suffer for positions," he said.

He said they do not want nepotism, nor party appointments. 

Budimir Mugoša (ES) said that the compulsory administration in Podgorica has been in place for a year. He reminded that compulsory administration is introduced if a session cannot be held, and after six months new elections are called. 

He said that the statements of Mujović and Borovinić Bojović are important to him, which, as he said, he appreciates. 

Mugoša emphasized that compulsory administration is not the solution. 

Preokret councilor Mirza Krnić said that they are avoiding concrete and argumentative polemics.

"Instead of being the first to support a solution to put out the fire, they are wondering who will come and who will hold the hose. The choice is simple - either the functionality of Podgorica or its blockade."

Krnić stated that he had not heard any objections to the Preokret model, because it represents a way out of the crisis. He was interested in what was controversial about their desire to prevent party recruitment and to get out of stagnation and complete decline. 

"That we have public interviews when hiring managers. That we have a public debate about the strategic development of Podgorica...", he said. 

Mirza Krnić (Preokret) said that he did not understand why there was so much excitement about the control.

"If you're doing something wrong and hiding something then, I agree, control can be problematic."

Tamara Čvorović (PES) said that PES is currently "controversial about changing the narrative."

Branislav Radičević, her councilor colleague, said that it all started with a protest over the construction of a collector in Botun. 

"Then they started asking additional questions and setting conditions. These were some ideological and political issues. Additional pressure was put on our colleagues from the DNP." 

He pointed out that they encountered tensions and resistance in Botun that are absent today. 

"Today you have a bonus of five million there... Tensions have dropped in Botun itself, and then they should have dropped among our colleagues from DNP. If you want to cause a crisis, then you have to do it like it is now. You have to break the constant, the core and the nucleus. There were obstructions around the collector itself, and then additional orders," he said. 

Ivana Mašković, a DNP councilor, said that Anđela Mićović's comment about her was inappropriate. 

"If we wanted to make any coalition arrangements with DPS, we could do it by providing both the mayor and the speaker of the Assembly." 

She stressed that the party did not want to trigger early elections. 

Mašković said that she was very honored that the DNP saw in her the qualities to be the president of the local parliament.

She said that Perić offered a way out of the crisis with his model. 

Vladan Arsović, a DPS councilor, praised the asphalt work being done in Piperi, as well as the work being done by the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica. He reminded that this is the third session this year, and they have only adopted one decision.

"These are the results of your work - one adopted decision in half a year. We don't have a report on the mayor's work. Why hasn't it been presented to the councilors? Why haven't we talked about the company reports yet," Arsović asked.

He was interested in where the Spatial Planning Program was, and why the director of the Spatial Planning Agency had not been proposed. He said that they wanted to introduce compulsory administration. 

Petar Rašković, a PES councilor, told Arsović that his statements were unfounded. He stressed that PES had never once said it was in favor of compulsory administration and that DPS wanted "government without accountability."

Arsović replied that they were not satisfied with the functioning of the capital city administration. 

"Maybe you (PES) should have asked for Borovinić Bojović's dismissal, not us... The bottom line is that you are avoiding responsibility in all of this." 

Miloš Đuričković (European Alliance) said that three months ago he said that shortening the mandate of the local parliament would be a gift to the current government.

"... Those elections should have been over last week if we had voted no confidence in the Assembly... Now those elections would be over, this week we would be negotiating about the government that would be formed during July. You have further worsened the situation in those three months," Đuričković assessed. 

He said that Borovinić Bojović's move was tactical and political.

"You didn't think when I told you that our initiative is a gift to you and the citizens. We will have an unnatural situation in the Capital, because we will have an undefined balance of power in the Assembly. You don't have 30 councilors on the issue of electing Perić to the position of president. That's a technical matter."

Bulatović (DNP) reminded that he would not initiate Mujović's dismissal and suggested to Goran Mišković from PES that he not take on the spokesperson's position.

Mišković asked the DNP councilors why they didn't tell them about Mujović and Borovinić Bojović "hiding criminals." 

"Or they became criminals after we broke up the coalition. I have a simple question for you, councilor Milić - did you speak in Serbian or Montenegrin?"

Milić told him that his language had been Serbian since "time immemorial."

Nermin Abdić (DPS) told Mišković that he appreciated his honesty "unlike most people who are professionally involved in politics."

"I say what I think in a human and popular way so that everyone can understand it. I'm glad you don't have a problem with that."

Abdić asked Mišković why there is "not the same yardstick for those who were once in DPS and now in PES". 

Mišković told him that they distanced themselves from it. 

"In Montenegro, people will forgive you for everything except success. This administration has had success," he said. 

Mujović said he felt the need to intervene because of Perić's "stroking me with thorns, then telling me I'm a criminal" approach. 

He said that he was never in favor of compulsory administration, nor was he interested in it. 

"I don't want to do anything beyond what is my duty. The budget is 164 million euros. I sweated a lot to reach my position and knowledge. I told young people to study and work on themselves so they wouldn't end up in a situation where they have to nod their heads to those worse off than them." 

Perić told Mujović that he understood why he was sensitive about his name. He claimed that PES was funding bots that wrote against him. 

"Anyone who opposes the government here will be crushed."

Citizens, says Perić, do not feel that the city is functioning. 

Jovana Mijović, a Democratic councilor, stated that Perić was the most active councilor in this convocation of the city parliament, and that his appearances amounted to him being a moral corrector.

She told Perić that he had lost his political integrity with this candidacy. 

Perić (Preokret) said that it is not wise to express harsh views "especially among different generations." 

Preokret councilor Srđan Perić said that the government wants forced administration.

"The moment the government was left without a majority, there was a proposal to shorten the Assembly's mandate, which is a completely logical solution... Ultimately, that is a completely fair stance towards the citizens. However, the government refuses that either. The Uprising did not comment on the dismissal of Borovinić Bojović. We have a situation where the Capital City is being purposefully led towards coercive administration... This opens up corruption schemes in terms of breadth, depth and height. I do not think the mayor is corrupt. When you open a system controlled by only a few people, that depth, breadth and height are impossible to control." 

He said that they represent the electoral will of the citizens, which "no one has the right to suspend." 

Perić said that they were unable to reach a solution, and that they offered a model that prevents the introduction of compulsory administration, adding that this is not "the entry of the Upheaval into the executive branch." 

"Aldermen also vote according to their autonomous, political statement... Each of us bears responsibility for what we propose," said the Preokret councilor.

He emphasized that they are still fighting against the government's arbitrariness. 

"The Podgorica government is going down the path of arbitrariness...". 

Mićović said that the government is pushing for compulsory administration in Podgorica. 

"If your theses are correct, Vučić, Đukanović, the entire region are revolving around me... You can't hide the basic fact, nothing has been very difficult for you in politics."

He said that they did not replace the DPS, but that the DF, the Democrats and the civic movement URA did it.

Civic Movement URA councilor Milena Vuković said that the party will not participate in the political circus. 

She said they did not want to participate in the vote for Perić. She said they were the most principled opposition at the state level.

Borovinić Bojović (NSD) said that the cooperation with PzPG was correct, but that she was surprised by their reaction after submitting her resignation. 

"Regarding the position in the Government. You know that the initiative for reconstruction has not been submitted. If there ever is, I will speak out about it. That manipulation was very ugly," said Borovinić Bojović.

Šundić told her that "the move was political, and that they did not agree with it." 

"I think that in a way we were right... And that it is better for the citizens of Podgorica and all of us that you are in that position (President)."

He said that PzPG would be reserved when it comes to Perić's candidacy. 

Councilor of the Party of European Progress (SEP) Ilija Mugoša said that the Capital City is in complete disarray, and that the councilors' presentations resembled a breakup.

The world, says Mugoša, will continue to exist, emphasizing that it "must not be tied to armchairs."

"How are we going to start the legalization process if the Parliament is not functioning... We have mentioned several scandals and we will continue to do so in the future." 

The head of the European Union (EU) club, Miloš Mašković, said that this "is not something we did not expect", but rather that it is the result of what "the previous coalition in Podgorica has been".

"We decided to support Perić's candidacy, not because his political party is close to us, but to avoid forced administration that was part of a plan hatched between councilor Borovinić Bojović and a large part of PES."

He said he believes the goal of introducing compulsory administration is to prevent scandals from being heard about within the capital. Mašković believes they did the right thing with this move. 

He assessed that "some people wouldn't be comfortable with us having a control mechanism." 

Councilor of the Movement for Podgorica, Drago Šundić, said that the resignation of Borovnić Bojovinić was not a good step and that the crisis was clearly visible. 

"We tried to come to a quality solution. The mandate of this Assembly was shortened. We still have about a year left."

He said that they tried to reach an agreement at all meetings. 

"We have what we have. We have in no way contributed to the production of this crisis... The candidacy you submitted to Mr. Perić is a legitimate act," said Šundić, adding that PzPG believes it is not anyone's extended arm, but that they cannot take responsibility "not even by supporting that part." 

Mayor Saša Mujović said that it was very difficult for him to talk about DNP, because these were people from his team. 

He said he expects Perić to investigate whether Mujović was bribed by a Turkish company and whether his wife was bribed by the Kavački clan. He recalled that he had a disagreement with the Chief of the Municipal Police regarding the situation in Botun.

Mujović emphasized that he has no misunderstandings with the directors of the Tourist Organization (TO) Podgorica and the Markets and Markets.

Bulatović told Mujović that he fought for the freedom of Montenegro during the times when the mayor supported him.

He said that Mujović once called him "Captain of the Capital". 

Councilor Jelena Borovinić Bojović said that the DNP left the coalition it previously had in the Capital City.

She recalled that the DNP had repeatedly called on her and Mujović to resign, given that they "no longer have legitimacy." 

"We have a circus situation in which we serve as a front... Projects, the work of the executive branch and companies are being challenged. So, we have all witnessed that. In such an atmosphere, it was not possible for the Parliament to function... My decision to resign was clear." 

She said that she was happy that there was a possibility for Mašković (DNP) to be the president of the local parliament. 

"Unfortunately, that didn't happen either. All those nice words that Bulatović addressed to Perić are not disputable. Why didn't we hear those words about councilor Mašković today?"

Borovinić Bojović said she had to witness a series of untruths aimed at tarnishing her honor and reputation. She added that all of this made her family nervous and worried.

Bulatović (DNP) recalled that his club supported Borovinić Bojović in every situation, and if it weren't for Milan Knežević, "she wouldn't be the leader of the list."

"Nowhere have we called on Borovinić Bojović to resign. Nowhere have we announced that we will vote for her removal," he said, adding that "our colleagues from PES did not allow Ivana Mašković to be a candidate." 

Bulatović (DNP) said that they have canceled their support for Mujović, but that they will not vote for his dismissal. 

"The majority no longer exists... Introducing compulsory administration in the Capital means suspending the Assembly and its role in decision-making and control of the executive branch. Abolishing councilors, as representatives elected by the citizens. It is truly fascinating how colleagues argue that their vote does not count... Compulsory administration, dear citizens, is the privatization of the capital and the swindlers...". 

Bulatović said that the resignation of Borovinić Bojović was partly to blame for this. 

He recalled that the DNP proposed Mašković as the President of the Assembly in a technical mandate without, he claims, any conditions. 

"Colleagues from the coalition For the Future of Podgorica accepted, we encountered blackmail from PES to support the Mujović report, the city government and the budget of the Capital City."

Perić, he says, has made a fair offer for the city parliament assembly to function and for the role of councilors not to be abolished. Bulatović stated that Perić "has not been on the political scene of Montenegro since yesterday" and that, he points out, he has left a certain mark. 

The cooperation between the DNP and DPS, Bulatović points out, is an "epic lie".

"We are only in coalition with the citizens we consistently represent." 

Mićović (PES) told Bulatović that DNP caused the crisis and reminded him that they voted for this year's budget, which included money for the construction of a collector in Botun. She also emphasized that PES "did not invent coercive administration."

She reminded Bulatović that Bojan Terzić, a strong opponent of the construction of the plant in Botun, was once on the DPS list. 

"Don't try so hard to paint PES with DPS colors." 

Democrats councilor Mitar Paunović said that Perić said that he would not be with the government or the opposition.

"For only a year and a half, Mr. Perić has been the DPS candidate for the second strongest position in the Capital."

He claims that his signatures for candidacy include 15 signatures from DPS, and that if it weren't for the largest party on the council, he wouldn't have been able to be chosen. 

"The technical mandate of the President of the Assembly does not exist...".

He told him that today they saw that citizens' memory does not last three months, but that his (Perić's) memory lasts a year and a half.

Klikovac (DPS) told Paunović that the Democratic Party president was "persona non grata in Croatia".

He told Paunović that the Democrats voted with the DPS to bring down the Dritan Abazović government. 

Aranitović (DPS) said that today we must show that politics should only serve citizens and that they will behave responsibly and peacefully at the end of the sessions.

Klikovac (DPS) said that there is panic in the government due to cooperation with the SNS. 

"I understand that there is a degree of nervousness today. As of today, you are not the government in Podgorica. Not as of today, but for the past few months, and you have been convincing citizens that you are the government. The coalition does not exist, it has fallen apart. Even though you are trying to invite these people to talks, it is not working. It did not work in Tivat, nor in Budva," said the DPS councilor. 

Mićović (PES) thanked Perić for reconciling Marković and Đukanović. 

"If it weren't for PES in 2022, Ivan Vuković would still be walking around Podgorica as mayor today. I don't want to stoop to the primitivism of my colleague Bulatović, but I hope that someday there will come a moment when male primitivism in this house will be eradicated, especially when it comes to female colleagues," said the PES councilor, adding that they have been "exposed."

Bulatović replied that the story was "unnecessary and didn't hold water." 

"With each new report you make, you bury your story. When you look around you, you notice everything from DPS to DPS."

He reminded that DPS did not fall in 2022, but in 2020. 

"If you mean well to PES, don't defend the mayor so much."