Đukanović: I am absolutely convinced of my victory in the presidential elections

(Patria) - I am absolutely convinced of my victory in the presidential elections, said the leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and the party's candidate for the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović at a rally in Gusinje.

He told his opponents that they would defeat him "just as you have been defeating [me] over these past decades".

- I decided to participate in them, not to win once again for who knows how many times. As for victories, there have been enough, and I could have peacefully finished my participation in political competitions.

No, I decided because of what I think we all need to achieve together in Montenegro during the next five years - Đukanović said.

He states that the agony the country has been going through for the last two and a half years is "a result not only of ignorance" of the governments of Zdravko Krivokapić and Dritan Abazović, but also of their "very bad intentions towards Montenegro".

- I think it is very important that we end the agony in which Montenegro has been living for the last two and a half years, thanks to the irresponsible state policy personified by two governments - the government of Zdravko Krivokapić and the government of Dritan Abazović.

It is not just ignorance when a successful economy, which was the most dynamic economy in Southeast Europe, is brought to a state of such depression where investors are just looking for ways to leave this country as soon as possible, and people in business are seriously scared due to the unpredictability of government policy.

I really think it is a matter of both ignorance and bad intentions, and whatever the case may be, it needs to be stopped and conditions created for the return of stability and for the return of economic and democratic reforms that should lead Montenegro to the EU - Đukanović said.

Photo: Facebook

He said that they have "three clear priorities after the change of this government".

- The first relates to preserving good relations between citizens of different religions and nationalities, which is especially important in the context of rising nationalisms in the Balkans that intend to change borders.

The second priority relates to dynamic economic development. We must return to a serious state policy, within which a serious economic policy that will instill confidence in business people and investors to be our partners in building Montenegro. Without partnership between the state and business, there is no progress for the state - Đukanović emphasized.

The third priority, as he added, relates to Montenegro's membership in the European Union.

- Without any doubt, I am convinced that in this five-year term, Montenegro will become a member of the European Union. That is our vision for the future of Montenegro. Montenegro in the European Union as a civic state of multi-ethnic democracy, dynamic economic development from which a growing standard of living will be generated - everything else is an illusion, everything else is populist deception - Đukanović added.