DNP to leave Montenegrin Government tomorrow

(Patria) - The demands adopted at the session of the Presidency of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) of Montenegro, held on January 9, were not considered at today's session of the Government of Montenegro.

DNP leader Milan Knežević, Deputy Prime Minister Milun Zogović, and Minister of Transport Maja Vukićević subsequently announced at a press conference that they will resign from their positions in the Government tomorrow, after a new session of the DNP Presidency.

Let us remind you, the DNP's demands sent to the Government related to constitutional amendments that would entail the regulation of Serbian as an official language, amendments to the Law on Citizenship, i.e., the introduction of dual citizenship, amendments to the Law on State Symbols, so that the tricolor would be regulated as the national flag, and the continuation of the dialogue on the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Botun, based on the results of the referendum in Zeta, held on December 14 last year.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced earlier today, among other things, that the Assembly should deal with identity issues, that he understands the need to raise such topics, but that the final decision must be an expression of broad consensus.

He also pointed out that there is no room for blackmail and that vital state interests will be decided exclusively in Montenegro.

Deputy Prime Minister Milun Zogović, speaking at the press conference about the Government session, said that Spajić expressed a certain kind of personal support and principled agreement regarding their initiative, but not readiness to forward that initiative to the Assembly for further consideration in his capacity as Prime Minister.

- At today's session, we thanked the Prime Minister for his personal readiness and for giving the green light. Through that readiness, he explained that he understands and that our initiative is in line with the Barometer 26, but he did not express readiness to participate in what was our initiative - Zogović explained.

He then informed the public that, in accordance with the promise they made to the citizens, Minister Vukićević and he will leave the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister they held in the Government.

- We will have a session of the party's Presidency tomorrow at 12 o'clock, where, because we are responsible people above all, both the President of DNP and my colleague Vukićević and I, will fulfill what we promised the citizens of Montenegro, and tomorrow we will submit resignations from the positions of Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of Montenegro - Zogović stated.

(N.K.)