Podgorica, (MINA) – Without building at least minimum trust in the electoral process, Montenegro will fall behind in the process of European integration, and political system could be brought to complete paralysis, said candidate for president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Draginja Vuksanovic Stankovic.
In an interview to Mina, she said that the Envelope Affair barred the election manipulations system that the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has been using, adding that it was nothing that the public was not aware of, but this time it was documented.
According to her, the government must be very aware of it and deal with this big issue seriously and not demagogically.
“However, we must mention the opposition’s lack of readiness to take a more serious approach and initiative in regard to this issue, which would be free of exclusivity and radical approaches on which the EU already gave its opinion”, said Vuksanovic Stankovic.
Regarding the conditions for participating in the parliamentary elections next year, Vuksanovic Stankovic reiterated SDP’s position that the precondition for every agreement on legislative reform is to previously reach an agreement on forming of a caretaker government, specifying every element of that model- its mandate and term.
She underlined that the opposition is not requesting forming of a caretaker government for being in government with DPS, since such proposals were rejected on many occasions, but to control the electoral process and prevent abuses.
Speaking about the reasons for her candidacy, Vuksanovic Stankovic said that Montenegro needs stable and progressive changes that must be carried out by a new generation.
She remarked that she is proud to be a candidate for president of a state-building party that has always had vision and has been ahead of time, aware of all mistakes made on that path.
Vuksanovic Stankovic said that SDP is the only party that met its strategic goals written at the very beginning of the Montenegrin multi-party system, almost three decades ago- independent and civic Montenegro, NATO and EU membership.
Asked about her priorities after taking over the position of president in comparison to Ranko Krivokapic, she said that her approach is orientation towards citizens and their needs, and her task is to stir the energy and optimism among the citizens.
Asked if the fact that she is the spouse of the Supreme Public Prosecutor could influence her work and further positioning of SDP, Vuksanovic Stankovic asked if anyone could even think that she could interfere in her husband’s work and vice versa.
“I hope that you do not believe that I should end my marriage in order to have a political career, that patriarchal pattern can be a measure of my political acting? I hope you do not believe that I will meet the malicious, marginal, petty, provincial and primitive requests of some individuals and groups which goal is to arrange my private life and lives of the citizen of Montenegro”, said Vuksanovic Stankovic.
Speaking about the possibility of forming of a new coalition with the ruling party and cooperation with other parties in the political scene, she reiterated that SDP is an opposition party that voluntarily left the government with DPS for its political principles.
In order a party could qualify to cooperate with SDP, according to her, it must share fundamental political values with it, those being an independent, civic, multi-ethnic, European and Euro Atlantic Montenegro. Longer version of article is available on a link MINA ENGLISH SERVIS
