Đukanović: New majority has nothing in common except overthrowing DPS

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - President of Montenegro and DPS leader Milo Đukanović, in an exclusive interview for Newsmax Adria, admitted defeat in Sunday's elections. Namely, Đukanović, speaking about the results of the parliamentary elections in which his party and its long-term partners did not win a majority in the Montenegrin Assembly for the first time, said that the incidents were not surprising, nor were the "uncivilized moments" from the victory celebrations of the three opposition parties until yesterday.

 

In an interview for "Newsmax Adria", conducted by journalist Željko Veljković, he said that in Montenegro, as in the region, there are two opposing approaches – a pro-Western course on one side and a backward nationalist one on the other, which has now been awakened.

"Incidents did not surprise anyone, celebrations even less. There is always a reason to celebrate, but that celebration also implies a civilized attitude towards other citizens and the need to preserve Montenegro's stability. Last night we witnessed an outpouring of intolerance, aggression, primitivism, an attempt to settle scores with people who think differently," said Đukanović.

He assessed that not only in Montenegro but in the region as a whole, two views on the future of the region are still alive – one is represented by the current composition of the government in Montenegro, as more or less in all countries of the region, which sees the future in the European system of values, in European and Euro-Atlantic integrations.

"On the contrary, as we can see, the nationalism of the 90s is still very much alive, which in new circumstances, thanks to new incentives, has been awakened and is now trying to turn the wheel of history backwards," said Đukanović.

When asked if it can, he replied that he thinks it cannot.

Regarding the formation of the government, Đukanović said that "we will soon witness a resolution and that we will receive their offer for government formation from those who will have 41 mandates in the parliament."

When asked if it would be the three opposition coalitions, he replied that there are announcements that it will be these three opposition coalitions, but their programs are quite distant, and if there is anything that brings them closer, it is the desire to remove DPS.

When asked if he would participate in it, he replied: "No, why would I participate? I am where I am, very firmly convinced of the correctness of my political positions," said Đukanović.

What happened on Sunday was, according to him, a warning. As for the Law on Freedom of Religion, he is still convinced that it was not a mistake.

"These issues must be resolved now or in the foreseeable future. The status of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro must be resolved. The intention of the Montenegrin religious and political public to restore values that represent traditional Montenegrin society is completely legitimate," said Đukanović.