Radomir Novaković Cakan, an independent candidate for the local elections in Bar, announces that the first agenda point in negotiations on establishing governing coalition will be legalization. Proposed price for it is unacceptable for residents of Bar, as well as for us and we won’t give up our aim. If we manage to reach an agreement, we will continue with negotiations, Novaković Cakan told CdM in an interview. His main goal is to attract investors and not to send them away.
CdM: Mr Novaković, are you satisfied with the outcomes of the local elections in Bar and your campaign?
Novaković: The independent list ‘Biram Bar’ (I choose Bar) has tried and I think it managed to present Bar as it is. Our list consisted of students, professors, sportsmen, artists, businessmen… Most of them never participated in any elections. Our goal was to offer something different. That’s why we never tell our list is Serbian, Montenegrin, Albanian, Muslim or Bosniak. It’s rather the list of friends. During our campaign, we clearly stated we’re not satisfied with results achieved by the ruling party, but also explained that not everything was bad. We were managing a positive campaign and were trying to be the bridge between the ruling coalition and the opposition.
CdM: Many were surprised that you won 5 seats in Bar municipal assembly. What will be your basis for negotiations?
Novaković: Even before elections, we were repeating that the our program would be the most important. All members of the ‘Biram Bar’ list are serious people who do not want to disappoint over 2,500 citizens who voted for us. We had a program campaign. The most important thing for us was to develop Bar. We invited the ruling coalition, as well as the opposition to talk about Kraljičina beach and Maljevik, which represent chances for development of our municipality. These projects would create new job opportunities and would brought to other positive effects. We told what we think about the legalization and that we can solve the problems related to infrastructure. Our vision is to have more children in sports free of charge. In our opinion, the municipality of Bar can become Montenegrin center of culture. The campaign also reflected on funds needed for the local Bar TV.
CdM: With whom are you going to negotiate in order to establish governing coalition, and who won’t be on that list?
Novaković: Many people forgot about the fact we have already mentioned whom we are going to negotiate with and who won’t be the part of the talks. Let me be clear: we won’t negotiate with those who blackmailed and threatened our citizens in order to get a vote. Majority of people from the ‘Biram Bar’ list have their own lives and career. It might sound like a cliché, but we don’t mind our own business and interests. We truly desire to attract investments, create new job opportunities and invest in infrastructure. In collaboration with the Government of Montenegro, we’d like to find a solution for the Port of Bar.
CdM: What is the most significant issue that the residents of Bar are facing with nowadays? What will be your main interest in negotiations?
Novaković: The first agenda point in negotiations would be legalization. Proposed price is unacceptable for residents of Bar and ourselves and we don’t intend to give up our proposal. Legalization will be of crucial importance for us and in case we manage to agree, we will continue with negotiations. We must not disappoint those who voted for us due to our proposal for legalization. We will deal other agenda points afterwards.
CdM: What would be your message to voters and resident of Bar?
Novaković: Citizens of Bar, especially our voters, should know we won’t give in our program. As for the politicians, we’d like to tell the ‘Biram Bar’ list has clear program and we’ll do anything to become part of a solution, and not one more issue in Bar.