MP candidate from the coalition ‘Resolutely for Montenegro – Milo Đukanovic’, Mr Nikola Gegaj, noted that the leader of Nova, Mr Andrija Mandić, has offended all minority nations in Montenegro by stating that the Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, put representatives of minority nations to defend him.
“We haven’t been surprised by the claims of the Nova leader as we’re used to hearing such claims, statement and views for years. In my opinion, he insulted the minority nations and their representatives, and just did damage to the leaders of parties that are going to advocate for the interests of their voters in the Parliament of Montenegro,” Mr Gegaj told.
Why is Mandić doing it?
GEGAJ: Minority nations knew how to choose the right side in the previous period, that is, the option that protected them from such leaders who never stop expressing the aforementioned attitude towards minority communities. It’s incomprehensible how the leaders of Nova continue to treat with mistrust everything that minority nations and their representatives do. Those same leaders are well aware that the DPS had enough democratic capacity to preserve the multi-ethnic and multi-religious harmony in Montenegro, which the countries of the region and beyond greatly appreciated.
The leader of Nova also told that posts in the govt will be offered to some new representatives of minority nations, the so-called honest minority nations. Is it a threat?
GEGAJ: Such attitude confirms their insincere relation towards the minority nations. On the one hand they offer minority nations to participate in the executive power, at the same time offering solutions – that they themselves are going to appoint those “new” representatives. Representatives of minority nations have always tried to be partners with the Montenegrin authorities and find best solutions through constructive dialogue, which they have so far been able to do with the DPS.
New parliamentary majority rejected the proposal of minority nations regarding the minority government comprising the Democrats and URA movement. Can we expect them [minority parties] now to join the new parliamentary majority?
GEGAJ: Of course, the new parliamentary majority rejected such a proposal, which was sincere and well-intentioned for resolving the overall situation in Montenegro. Minority political representatives thus sent a clear message to the democratic public that they are committed to democratic processes in Montenegro, that they respect the expressed will of voters in the elections, that a new government composed of those forces should be given a chance, that they will be dedicated to further affirmation of the state of Montenegro and continue with the Euro-Atlantic path of the Montenegrin society.
