WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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The President of Montenegro and the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Milo Đukanović said that the days between the two rounds of elections sharpened the political picture even more, and that it is clear that on April 2 the citizens are not only electing the president, but the path to the future. He is convinced of victory, emphasizing that this belief is based on the rationality and prudence of the citizens of Montenegro.
The citizens of Montenegro do not decide for and against Milo Đukanović, but for a better or worse future for their children. By making a decision in the referendum, they decided that they wanted a Montenegro that manages its own future and for Montenegro, which had already said that it wanted a European and Euro-Atlantic future. The personification of that vision, whether someone likes it or not, is me - said Đukanović in an interview for TVCG.
In the second picture, he says, Open Balkan is preferred and his opponent is a supporter of that idea.
I have always presented Open Balkan as the lobby of the Serbian world. The "Serbian world" is, of course, part of the "Russian world" and all of this together has nothing to do with the European Union - pointed out Đukanović.
He is sure that during these days people have further sharpened the image of political offers.
Đukanović said that he was satisfied with the result of the first round of the presidential elections.
It is at the expected level, I am also satisfied with the advantage that has been achieved. I am an optimist when it comes to the final outcome on April 2 - pointed out Đukanović.
Đukanović said that various circumstances had happened in the meantime that had an impact on him getting fewer votes in the first round than was the case five years ago.
At that time, I had a group of candidates who did not have a political rating in Montenegro, like the participants in the first round. These are leaders of political parties with a long tenure and it was logical that victory against them would be more difficult than five years ago. Bearing in mind the clear projection that this electoral process will last and be realized through two electoral rounds, we did not let the gas run to the limit - emphasized Đukanović.
"The support of an additional 40,000 votes will be exceeded"
He is absolutely sure that they made a good projection of the growth of electoral support between the two electoral rounds.
The support of an additional 40,000 votes is the final result that I absolutely expect. I think he will be exceeded, but I tried to communicate something that I am sure will be achieved - said Đukanović.
When asked what the optimism that he will win the elections is based on, Đukanović answered on the rationality and prudence of the people in Montenegro.
If the only goal is to beat Milo Đukanović, you will have a problem of envy that has meanwhile escalated to animosity and hatred. Because it is not logical that you participate in the elections to defeat the opponent, but to offer the citizens a projection of the future that you can stand behind. I don't think that the citizens of Montenegro allow themselves to be seduced in such a way - emphasized Đukanović.
"We did not encourage minorities to vote in the first round"
When asked why he thought that minorities did not turn out in large numbers in the first round of elections, Đukanović said that he considered it irrational to encourage them to come and vote twice at their polling station.
It is a traditional thing with a dominant structure of citizens of minority nations. These people are mostly displaced in Montenegro and the region and they represent the most significant part of the diaspora. The reasons are existential and work... We considered it irrational to encourage them to come and vote twice. We said: "No, that job will end in the second round" - stated Đukanović.
He does not calculate the turnout, he believes that the election result will not depend on that, but on the candidate's offer.
Whatever the turnout is, I am convinced that I will win on April 2 - said Đukanović.
"Diaspora extremely attached"
Đukanović also said that the diaspora's right to vote is completely clear.
I look at it very affirmatively. And that should be seen through the legal and political aspect. The legal aspect is very clear and the Constitution defines who has the right to vote in Montenegro. Citizen of Montenegro with two years of residence and over 18 years of age. We are talking about people who temporarily left Montenegro for existential reasons, who never registered their residence and spend part of the year in Montenegro. They don't use the right to vote there. They have the right to vote and be elected in Montenegro - emphasized Đukanović.
It is necessary, as he says, to observe two sides of the political aspect.
The first is that these people show exceptional attachment to Montenegro, which should make everyone feel proud. But they consider that Montenegro is their only home - emphasized Đukanović.
He denied allegations that the previous government paid for the arrival of people from the diaspora to vote for it.
These people are much prouder than those who complain about it think - said Đukanović.
"There was no misuse of state resources during the trip to Hanover"
Commenting on his departure to Hanover, Đukanović said that on that occasion there was no abuse of state resources for pre-election purposes.
Before the election, I had an invitation to attend a gathering of our diaspora in Hanover, which would be attended by about 5,000 people. Then I avoided it for reasons of German legislation. When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once wanted to hold an election rally, they forbade it. But, as an alternative, the idea was launched to meet 30-40 of our successful people there to talk about topics related to their investments, but also politics. And I agreed to it. There was also talk about the elections, they are very interested in whether this country will join the EU or the "Serbian world". I interpret my rights very restrictively and I did not use the state plane on that occasion. I could have gone on a regular line, on foot, whatever... What is relevant is that there was no misuse of state resources for pre-election purposes - said Đukanović.
"Serbia and Russia continue to interfere"
He also assessed that Serbia and Russia continue to interfere in election processes and internal political situations in Montenegro.
When asked whether the statement by the head of Croatian diplomacy, Gordan Grlić Radman, that Croats in Montenegro should vote for Đukanović is also interference in our internal affairs, he said that it cannot be put on the same level.
He also points out that the promise he made to raise wages is not populism, stating that this promise is based on what is the radio stream of his government management.
No, populism is when you make unrealistic promises to people and when you do it in order to achieve a political goal, not caring about the disappointed illusions you have formed in people and the consequences for the economy and public finances - stated Đukanović.
According to him, Aman, as the biggest tourist investor, was driven away because he was attributed closeness to the previous Government.
This can cause damage of 150 million euros to Montenegro, and someone has to answer for that - stated Đukanović.
"We are going to the elections on June 11 and we will get a new government"
Đukanović said that Montenegro will certainly hold parliamentary elections on June 11 and that it will get a new government.
Those initiatives from the parliament were mostly caricatures. That's how far the creativity of the people from the current parliamentary majority goes - not to publish the decree in the Official Gazette. And that happened. I expect that the Constitutional Court will also make a decision in the near future and that they will inform us about it - said Đukanović.
He admits that he made certain mistakes, but emphasizes that the good ones.
But I think that the good I did with other people absolutely outweighs it. These are not everyday achievements - to save a team in Montenegro? How it was not possible for the previous generations who were no less wise than us. To bring about new independence, to bring the country into NATO, to provide 11 billion euros of investments... This is not usual - pointed out Đukanović.
Goals
If he wins on April 2, his priority will be strengthening civil Montenegro and multi-ethnic democracy, restoring the business environment thanks to which investors came...
This is the only sound basis for us to move towards EU membership and the achievement of a standard of living that will be accompanied by an average salary of 1,500 euros - said Đukanović.
The third goal, he said, is membership in the EU, and he reiterates that he is sure that this will be achieved in the next five-year mandate.
Đukanović called on all people to vote.
Clear vision vs populism
It is not responsible enough to let others decide your future and the future of your children. When it comes to my offer - I am someone who has presented himself to Montenegro with his work and results in the previous 30 years and who has shown that he is able to guarantee stability and that his political projection is very certain. It is defined by the vision that was realized and which should end with Montenegro's membership in the EU and the European quality of life - emphasized Đukanović.
Commenting on the opponent Jakov Milatović, Đukanović said that he is new on the political scene and that he is being judged on the basis of his performance over the past two and a half years.
There is a lot of populism there and probably, due to ignorance and experience, a lot of pandering to Greater Serbian aspirations towards Montenegro, which threatens to derail the country from the track it set out on May 21, 2006. My full confidence in the citizens of Montenegro is that, like many times before in difficult trials, they will make a wise decision for their house and the future of their family - concluded Đukanović.
Source - POBJEDA
