Đukanović: My candidacy is an expression of responsibility and concern for Montenegro, I aim to win in the first round

My candidacy is an expression of responsibility and concern for Montenegro, said the current president of the country and the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Milo Đukanović, after submitting his candidacy for the presidential elections.
He also added that he is running for office because of his concern for the assets of Montenegro, to which, as he said, he dedicated his life.
In a little less than three years, Montenegro has come an incredible way - from a country that was described as an anchor of stability in the Balkans, was a model of functionality and a leader in the negotiation process with the European Union (EU), and today is described as a cancer-wound of the Balkans and Europe. - said Đukanović.
He believes that it is not necessary for others to teach us, and stated that Montenegro is a country with broken functionality.
A country whose main institutions are either in a dysfunctional state or their work is completely paralyzed. Today, Montenegro is a country that investors are abandoning, businesses that are afraid of the unpredictability of the current government's economic policy and the neglected rule of law - pointed out Đukanović.
He pointed out that the current government does not care about the views of the EU and the Venice Commission.
Because of this, Montenegro is paralyzed on the European path - added Đukanović.
He said that "this agony" should end as soon as possible.
In a democratic society, this is achieved through elections. In 2023, we are obviously expecting a comprehensive election cycle that begins with regular presidential elections on March 19, and I'm almost certain that it will continue a few months later with parliamentary elections - said Đukanović.
He said that the parliamentary elections are an opportunity for Montenegro to restore its previous stability through the wise decisions of its citizens.
To restore the competitiveness of its business environment and its commitment to reforms so that, along with constant improvement of the rule of law, it would catch the connection in the negotiation process with the EU and, most importantly, to restore the functionality of the institutions - emphasized Đukanović.
He added that the elections are an opportunity for Montenegro to preserve the international prestige it has painstakingly achieved during the 14 years since the restoration of independence.
Regardless of the additional challenges that have intensified in the last three years - pointed out Đukanović.
He said that we came out of difficult trials successfully.
Then, when everything seemed hopeless, we managed to preserve the peace and save the country from NATO bombing, to find patience in the negotiations with Serbia and to postpone, as much as was necessary, the statement in the referendum... To make a compromise with the EU and organize the referendum according to the rules which did not look the fairest, and after all that, let's make a strategic turn towards the west and bring Montenegro into NATO and provide it with a leadership position in the negotiation process with the EU - pointed out Đukanović.
He said that all this was possible because we had an impeccably clean vision and a strong motive to realize it.
Just as we had the motive to restore the country and to spoil it on the path of European integration, today we have the motive to preserve the achievements of modern Montenegro, to which we have all given our lives as a generation. We have a serious motive to preserve it and continue on that path and create conditions for a stable and prosperous life for our descendants - emphasized Đukanović.
He pointed out that recent years have seen newer political offers and profiles.
Which I would most benignly describe as very adventurous, but I think it is necessary to see everything and get acquainted with everything that is on the political scene - he said.
He said that with his previous experience, he will surely make wiser decisions in the elections.
Starting with the presidential elections, I believe that we will make decisions that will guarantee Montenegro's stability and the achievement of its most important goals - including EU membership - said Đukanović.
He hopes that the results of the presidential elections will create conditions for the normalization of political life in Montenegro "after the earthquake we have been going through for the last two and a half years".
And to catch the connection with the positive political tendencies that were characteristic of our country after the referendum - added Đukanović.
Answering the question whether his candidacy means that there are no other candidates in DPS who could run for president, Đukanović said that he thinks that they are sending a message to the public about the wealth of personnel potential of that party.
If we were to collect in one place all the changes that happened in all parties without DPS, and on the other hand, the extent of changes that DPS brought about, I am sure that DPS would
He said that DPS was the backbone of the state policy of Montenegro during the past three decades.
Even now, as an opposition, we play the role of a state-responsible opposition. Our analyzes indicated that this is the moment when it will be shown whether Montenegro will regain that normality and continue to build itself as a model subject of European society, or whether it will continue in the rut of Balkan instability and decay - pointed out Đukanović.
Answering the question why it took so long to announce the candidate, and whether they waited to see what would happen with the candidacy of the leader of the "Europe Now" Movement, Đukanović said that they did not calculate, but that they used the time to look at all the facts necessary for the determination of who is the candidate with the most chances.
Spajić's candidacy failed seven days ago. So why didn't we submit our candidacy the next day? Because it was not important and relevant. It is relevant for us to strengthen ourselves in the belief that this is the best thing we can do for our party and for Montenegro - said Đukanović.
He believes that the election race will be interesting, and as he pointed out, his goal is to win in the first round.
My goal is to win in the first round, but I am ready for the entire election process. If the development of events leads us to the second round, I will participate with the same enthusiasm and with the intention to win - said Đukanović.
He said that he approaches each of the opponents with respect and that he will invest all his capacities to win the second round - whoever it is.
M. J.