In an interview for Pobjeda daily, head of the DPS caucus, Mr Nikola Rakočević, told that the DPS’s electoral roll would be the best political offer in Montenegro ever.
“The best DPS candidates, along with the new, qualified people will be dedicated to the economic and state stability, oriented towards citizens of Montenegro,“ he told Pobjeda daily.
-Key moments from the interview with Mr Rakočević-
The DPS will most likely run independently in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Is it realistic to expect some new candidates from other parties, such as the Liberal Party or the Crnogorska party?
RAKOČEVIĆ: We still haven’t discussed ways of running in the elections concerning this specific matter. Regardless of the decision on our partners or whether we are going to run in the elections independently, we are working hard.
When will the session of the Main Board be held? Do you expect changes when it comes to the ‘best qualified staff’ and to what extent they will be implemented?
RAKOČEVIĆ: The session of the Main Board must be held in line with the recommendations of the National Coordination Body. We are closely monitoring the development of the epidemiological situation in the country and the electoral roll will definitely be determined in the next few weeks.
I expect the DPS to have the best political offer in Montenegro so far.
The opposition hasn’t agreed on a single list, and given the current state of play, we might expect even 5 electoral rolls. Does such an approach represent a serious threat for the ruling party?
RAKOČEVIĆ: Our political competition, that more often presents itself as a competition for the state, is free to choose the most appropriate model for itself. Luckily, there is no the opposition model that can ensure a good result. Political parties should think about their political programs, collective and individual achievements as well, in order to deserve the opportunity to exercise power.
Will clashes with the Serbian Orthodox Church, SPC, over the religion law affect the election results of the ruling parties? Do you think the SPC will meddle in the election campaign?
RAKOČEVIĆ: The disagreement between the SPC and the state of Montenegro has helped citizens to clearly see that the Great-Serbian state project still exists in MNE, trying to annul our state, make it Serbian and then put in the alternative state frameworks. The logical question here is: Why should we have two Serbian states next to each other?
Citizens of Montenegro defeated other dangerous opponents and discarded complex frauds before, and the same will do with this obvious harmfulness to the national interests. In the last 20 years, and especially after the 2006 referendum, Montenegro has permanently emancipated itself and profiled as a civil, multi-ethnic state and a free society. That is why you are allowed to express your views, even if they were the most politically retrograde, coming from a religious community. But not everything that is allowed is good and useful at the same time. It is now clearer than ever that civil, free and European Montenegro is in danger from certain actors in Montenegro and beyond.
Elections will be held under specific circumstances having in mind the coronavirus outbreak. Do you think everything will be okay and that state bodies in charge of the election will do their job well?
RAKOČEVIĆ: We are constantly repeating – people’s health is most important. Standards, recommendations of health officials, in line with the applicable laws, have to provide concrete guidelines for the elections. State bodies have shown their competitiveness in the most demanding challenges since the start of the outbreak, so I do believe they will do the same when it comes to the elections.
