The Social Democratic Party, SDP, does not want to take part in negotiations with those who deny Montenegro’s independence, its aspirations towards Western values and the EU accession, Mr Raško Konjević, deputy leader of the SDP and a member of the Montenegrin parliament, told in an interview for Pobjeda daily.
When asked to comment on the fact that the opposition groups failed to invite the SDP for talks about the eventual joint run in the election, he said that they [SDP] “have been disappointed with actions of certain opposition parties who were known to be civic-oriented but then turned to be closer to the policy of the Democratic Front, DF, than the one of the SDP.”
On the SDP’s current position, having in mind that the opposition didn’t call them for talks, Mr Konjević said: “The SDP wants a strong and stable Montenegro after these elections. Strong Montenegro, which will ensure an average salary of 700 euro by 2024. That will be our key message and promise in the campaign. We want a strong Montenegro where people live better. Montenegro needs changes because in such a policy with tycoons, tax debtors and privileged individuals, ordinary and normal citizens are at a loss, and they represent a convincing majority. The current situation has been approved only by a privileged minority. Is it normal that the director of Plantaže company earns 250 euro a day, more than 7.000 euro a month, and almost 100.000 euro a year, while the company has been continuously making poor results. We think it is not and that is why changes are needed.”
As for the pre-election campaign in the time of the coronavirus and whether it’s possible to collect signatures and hold elections under such circumstances, he noted: “That’s the question we have been continuously asking the competent bodies. In our opinion, the health of citizens is most important and is more important that any political campaign or elections. However, health experts should decide on this matter. First of all, the State Election Commission and competent health institutions in line with the laws of Montenegro, law on election of councilors and MPs and law on infectious diseases.”
We expect to get 5-8% support in the elections
As the SPD announced independent run in the elections, here’s what they expect from the elections in terms of results: “Our message will be clear – Strong Montenegro. We know the citizens will appreciate our policy that we presented in the parliament. We’ll run in the elections independently just as we did back in 2016. We expect to get 5-8%. In the 2016 election, we received 5.2% and 8.3% in the 2018 presidential elections. Researches carried out over the past two months say that our goal is realistic and achievable.
