The issues regarding the Bar Municipal Assembly’s functionality are not the fault of the opposition, but rather stem from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), stated the councilors of Democratic Montenegro in response to a recent comment made by local parliament president, Branislav Nenezić.

Though they had no intention of addressing the ongoing lack of quorum at the Bar Municipal Assembly sessions, they felt it necessary to respond following Nenezić’s remarks, which indirectly targeted the opposition.

“Firstly, it is inappropriate for Mr. Nenezić to harbor grievances against the opposition, given that the coalition agreement was signed not by the Bar opposition, but by his political ally—the Bar DPS. Additionally, we would like to remind the public that the dysfunction in the local parliament has not been caused by the opposition, but by the DPS—Mr. Nenezić’s principal coalition partner—whose councilors failed to attend the session in March. This clearly illustrates who is ‘mowing the lawn and who is carrying the water’ in the Bar government,” the Democratic councilors expressed in a statement.

They informed Nenezić that from the outset of this Municipal Assembly term, they made it clear they would not serve as a backup for anyone, nor act as a tool to maintain a facade of stability within the ruling majority.

“Therefore, the next time your coalition partner, DPS, seeks to discipline you, we request that you act with basic integrity and have the courage to confront them or at least express your true sentiments publicly—something you have yet to convey in Parliament, or during those afternoon gatherings where you negotiate and share positions each Sunday,” they concluded.

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