The session of the Central Committee of SDP showed everything was ready for the Congress which will be held on June 3 in Podgorica, writes Dnevne Novine daily.
Members of the Committee adopted all decisions unanimously and without discussion, which led many to comment SDP members “buried their hatchets”.
This, however, may be just an illusion, as teams of party President Ranko Krivokapic and Vice-President Ivan Brajovic both worked in the field yesterday, lobbying for their candidates as leaders of the Social Democrats. The third candidate, Merdin Markišić, withdrew his candidacy although he used to argue he was utterly dissatisfied with the way the top of the party treats its membership. He promised to support one of the candidates, but did not say which one.
Only the uncertainty is certain
Although both teams expect convincing victory, it is certain the result of the vote will be uncertain until the last ballot is counted. Almost all party officials declared support to their favorite candidate. The latest was Kenan Hrapović, senior official of the party and Director of the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro, who said he will back Ivan Brajovic.
Counting of delegates
While Brajovic gained support of the largest number of senior officials of the party, Krivokapic counts on winning the race with the support of the current members of party’s Central Committee, which will in Congress count over 70 delegates.
According to some reports, current president Ranko Krivokapic is supported by 16 municipal boards, while Brajovic only gained the support of six. Krivokapic’s main advantage is the fact that he is a longtime president of the party, which in recent years achieved significant results under his leadership. His followers claim that if he wins again, the party will remain independent to resist the influence of their bigger coalition partner. Current SDP leader also enjoys great support in the north of Montenegro and among minorities, which gives him significance in the international community as well.
By statute, the president of the SDP will be the candidate who wins majority of delegates’ votes at the Congress.
Party must not break up
Both sides of SDP claim there will be no splitting of the party at the Congress on June 3rd. Kenan Hrapović stated the same, reminding SDP went through similar ordeals some 20-25 years ago. Presidential candidates Ranko Krivokapic and Ivan Brajovic were unanimous to think that the Social Democrats will preserve unity.
Delegates at the VIII Congress
In accordance with the earlier decision of the Central Committee, out of 275 delegates elected by municipal boards, Bar is represented with 42, Podgorica 34, Petnjica 31, Bijelo Polje and Rozaje 25 delegates each, Plav19, Cetinje 14, Tivat 13, Niksic 12, Gusinje, Kolasin, Pljevlja and Danilovgrad six each, Andrijevica and Herceg Novi five each, Budva only two delegates and Pluzine, Savnik, Zabljak and Berane one delegate each.
