Indisputably independent, civic, multi-ethnic, European and Euro-Atlantic Montenegro is a prerequisite for the SDP’s political partnership with anyone. We do not need fronts against anyone or anything, but a union so that we can unite and work together on the citizens-oriented developments, Ms Draginja Vuksanović Stankovic, new leader of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, pointed out in an interview with Pobjeda daily.
She noted that “the government must understand that after the ‘Envelope’ affair and a number of others affairs, it is almost impossible to reach a minimum mutual trust without the technical government, which would prepare the elections.” Ms Vuksanovic Stankovic stressed that it is time to have a new generation of politicians who will solve issues differently, and that she is always ready to admit her own and the party’s mistakes.
Here are the highlights of the interview with Ms Vuksanović Stanković…
POBJEDA: As a new SDP leader, what do you plan to change in your party in order to return its rating?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ:
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Politicians are too burdened with ratings, both personal and parties’, while they do not care about their own personal life and problems of our citizens. That would be my priority. I want to present the new face of politics in Montenegro with much more emotions and feelings for an ordinary man.
In autumn we are going to start with a campaign and we plan to talk to as many citizens as possible, that is, with those living on the margins of society and who live honourably. The life of an ordinary man must represent a measure of success of our policy.
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POBJEDA: You came as the SDP leader after Ranko Krivokapić, who had been running the party for 18 years. Are you afraid that he is going to put pressure on you in the decision-making process?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: I’m not afraid at all. I can make my own decisions, in politics and in my personal life as well. But I always like to hear advice from the more experienced. I stepped into the political life of Montenegro as a university professor, I have my own life beyond politics.
At the ninth Congress of the party I told we are all grateful to the generation of Montenegrin politicians who had a clear vision and who restored the Montenegrin independence.
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POBJEDA: What do you think about the situation in Kotor, having in mind that the SDP first required dismissal of Mr Vladimir Jokić due to his involvement in the Port of Bar? Is there a crisis in the Kotor SDP Committee?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: Dr. Ivan Ilić, a reputable surgeon in the Kotor hospital, a well-known person in the Montenegrin and regional healthcare system, accepted to be the SDP vice president, and I was extremely pleased to hear that. This is the best answer to your question – there is no crisis in the Kotor SDP.
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I don’t want to look back to the past. We should turn to the future. I’m always ready to admit my mistakes as well as those made by the party.
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POBJEDA: Lately, the SDP has entered into alliances with some parties that were against the independence of Montenegro, and that is why it (SDP) was accused of turning away from the sovereignty direction. Do you think it was a mistake or you plan to continue this way anyway?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: The SDP is a state-oriented party that participated in the historical renewal of the Montenegrin independence. We were for independence when the DPS was in the “War for Peace” project. But I do not think that due to differences regarding the referendum issue, we should now persistently divide the citizens to those who were for and who were against the referendum. Our country cannot become rich, democratic and based on the European values if we continue in this way.
If we are constantly returning to the past, we will lose our chance for the future.
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POBJEDA: Do you think you will ever again cooperate with the DPS?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: Parties cooperate based on the program principles which have to be the same. We consider that robbery of state property and inappropriate enrichment of some high-ranking DPS officials are extremely harmful to the citizens of Montenegro, and that is why we terminated our cooperation in 2016. But the opposition’s only policy should not be that we are against the DPS, because there are many honest people among the members of the DPS. But there are also many who obviously see politics as a chance for getting rich at the expense of the citizens. We won’t cooperate with those who want to return the people of Montenegro to the past, who want to argue, and who think that Montenegro and its citizens are a perfect basis as for political enrichment.
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POBJEDA: The elections will be held next year and amendments to the electoral legislation are impossible to implement in the election year. Will you go back to the Committee for the electoral legislation and contribute to making better conditions for the elections?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: We are open for dialogue because I do not perceive my political rivals as enemies but as people with whom I can discuss the benefits for our citizens. What can be an alternative to dialogue? Our problem is that politicians in Montenegro are increasingly becoming an alienated, privileged class. They behave as if the citizens exist for them, and not vice versa. At the 9th party’s Congress, the SDP urged for a comprehensive political dialogue.
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POBJEDA: You are one of the few women who have been chosen to run a party. In addition, you are a Member of the Parliament of Montenegro and a professor at the University. Is it difficult for a woman in Montenegro to develop such a professional and political career?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: As you have already implicated in your question, my first passion and basic profession involves work at the University. Therefore, I didn’t opt for the politics in order to acquire social affirmation. I do not perceive politics as a profession but as a duty and an obligation to try to contribute to changing the current situation in the country. If there were more women in politics, I am convinced that they would work more efficiently and wisely, with much higher sense of justice.
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Proposal for the religious freedom law represents a good basis
POBJEDA: Will the SDP back the Law on Religious Freedom when put on the agenda?
VUKSANOVIĆ STANKOVIĆ: The SDP has already stated that it is an important social issue that needs to be solved with dialogue, talks, involvement of all parties and respect for international principles and human rights. There must be no discrimination in Montenegro.
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