The issues at a national level are not something I impose; they have been employed by the previous regime for years as a cover for their misappropriations.

This was declared by Marko Kovacevic, the leader of the “For the Future of Nikšić” list, during an interview with “Vijesti” ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.

He emphasized that after the elections they are open to partnerships with anyone who aims to positively influence Nikšić, but insists it must be without coercion, ulterior motives, or attempts to revert to bygone ways.

“The DPS and their political affiliates are not an option for us—neither today nor tomorrow. They had their chance and squandered it, leading to the city’s deterioration. We no longer possess the luxury of making mistakes,” Kovačević asserted.

The municipal elections in Nikšić are set for Sunday, April 13, with 10 lists on the ballot.

What do you believe is your contribution and that of your party over the last four years?

In the past four years, we have provided Nikšić with what it was most in need of—employment, dignity, and integrity. We inherited a city marred by neglect, filled with potholes, injustice, and citizens lacking hope. We successfully completed over 40 major infrastructure projects, paved 200 kilometers of roads, and enhanced areas of the city that the DPS officials only acknowledged from their office desks. Unemployment has been cut by 50%, meaning five thousand additional jobs have been created. We’ve improved family support: a family with four children now receives €2,400, an unprecedented aid. We closed the Mislov do landfill, which had been abused for three decades with false promises, and will resolve the waste management issue for good. We didn’t just talk about change; we initiated it.

Is it more “comfortable” to be in the opposition and criticize the government or to govern and face criticism?

It’s not always simple, but it feels fulfilling to know we’ve achieved tangible results. We’ve accomplished more in four years than they did in thirty, and the people of Nikšić are aware of this. That’s why they’re currently in the opposition, still utilizing what they misappropriated from their time in power. While we endure criticism, we’re busy paving roads, generating employment, aiding families, and building. The opposition criticizes from cafes and luxurious apartments in Podgorica while we work directly in the Municipality and on-site. The citizens can distinguish between mere talk and actual results.

The Municipality of Nikšić has relied on assistance from the Equalization Fund for years. Are you satisfied with local tax collection over the past four years and when will the municipality cease to rely on this fund?

When we assumed responsibility in 2021, we were faced with a budget unable to meet basic obligations. Naturally, we utilized the Equalization Fund because the corrupt DPS placed us in that predicament. Today, we see significant improvements in local tax collection; for the first time, citizens recognize that their contributions are funding projects, not lining private pockets. When they see roads being paved and public spaces being developed, their perspective on obligations to the city shifts. We haven’t solicited outside help; we’ve gotten Nikšić back on its feet. Our goal is to emerge as self-sufficient as soon as possible, relying on our own income. However, achieving this will necessitate four more years of stability, efforts, and effective management. The DPS led us into debts, bankruptcies, and blockages, and now they wish to return, robbing citizens and Nikšić again. They initially restrained us and now question why we aren’t excelling. Nikšić will be a city that no longer seeks assistance but rather offers it.

Nikšić was once an industrial powerhouse. Is it feasible to reopen factories? If so, what kinds of factories would this entail? You still “owe” Grahovlje residents a chip factory…

Nikšić is now a regional frontrunner in energy. World-renowned beverage brands are produced here. Nowadays, investors are eager to come to Nikšić because they recognize that corruption has ceased. A prime example is the forthcoming “Big Fashion” shopping center, for which contracts are already signed, promising 300 new jobs. Additionally, the construction of “Sunny City,” which includes over 1,000 apartments, is not just a housing project, but a vital economic driver that promotes construction, trade, crafts, and creates hundreds of jobs. These are not mere promises; these are tangible employment opportunities that people are eagerly anticipating.

As for the chip factory for Grahovljane, its realization hinged upon the prior Government, which failed to seize the opportunity provided by the Municipality of Nikšić. We don’t promise miracles; we deliver concrete projects. By establishing the House of Digital Revolution, we are opening avenues for the IT sector, new businesses, and startups, acknowledging that modern times necessitate a new economy. We are also focusing on developing smaller manufacturing facilities across wood processing, food production, and metalworking—essentially everything that offers a paycheck and restores dignity. We aren’t returning Nikšić to its past; we’re propelling it into the future with jobs emerging from knowledge, rather than political affiliation.

With the Mislov do landfill closed, how do we resolve the waste issue?

Shutting down the Mislov do landfill was a monumental step, especially since we had been misled for 30 years about its closure being “impossible.” We closed the landfill quietly and undertook the primary rehabilitation project without fanfare. We plan to construct a modern Waste Management Center that adheres to European standards. Six studies are currently being prepared with World Bank funding to evaluate the best methods for addressing the waste management problem in Nikšić. We intend to completely clean the city.

The Steel Mill issue remains unresolved despite being leased to a Swiss company. Do you believe this contract should be annulled?

First and foremost, we will never abandon the Steelworks’ workforce. It’s crucial to note that the EPCG-Steelworks Nikšić has achieved self-sufficiency through producing solar panel substructures and several light industry plants. The fate of the Steelworks and its continued operation does not depend solely on foreign investors. The agreement with the Swiss firm is an opportunity we intend to leverage, and we hope all planned initiatives come to fruition. Contrary to the DPS, which wrote off the factory two decades ago, we are committed to both preserving jobs and production. Citizens should understand: the DPS didn’t simply lose the Steelworks—they intentionally undermined it. They sold it off and dismantled it; we are now reclaiming and rebuilding it.

Last May, you announced that the Municipality of Nikšić would finally begin receiving compensation for Lake Bileć, which has yet to occur. Will you or your coalition colleagues push for aligning legal norms with those of BiH to secure these payments?

Absolutely, we will continue to advocate for Nikšić to receive its due. We’ve secured the commitment for this compensation; now it’s about enacting legal frameworks to facilitate it. Together with our coalition colleagues at the state level, we will pursue legislative solutions that ensure these funds finally reach Nikšić. The DPS never attempted to address this; they preferred to remain complacent while benefiting. We won’t be silent. Therefore, we will see this process through to completion.

The census revealed that Nikšić has lost 12,000 residents in 5.7 years. What have you done over the past four years to prevent youth from leaving, and what strategies will you implement in the next four years if you regain leadership?

In 12 years, Nikšić has experienced nearly a 10% population decline, a direct result of DPS policies. People didn’t leave out of desire but necessity. The DPS shuttered factories, dismantled the economy, and pushed young individuals toward the party’s bureaucracies—if you weren’t “one of theirs,” you were effectively invisible. While ordinary residents sacrificed their properties to enable their children to seek opportunities abroad, the DPS were constructing villas and driving armored vehicles. Now, despite being in the opposition, they continue to thrive off the wealth they amassed while in power—same individuals, same agenda. We have not forgotten. Nikšić remembers. That’s why we are launching “Sunny City,” inaugurating “Big Fashion,” and establishing the House of the Digital Revolution—so no one has to leave because of injustice. We will never again watch Nikšić’s population dwindle due to the greed of those who have exploited it for thirty years.

Both the previous and current administrations have displayed party patronage in local governance. Will experts be prioritized over party loyalists in the future?

Honestly, while we’re not claiming perfection, the contrast between us and the previous administration is stark. With them, you needed to present your party card alongside your ID; qualifications were irrelevant. They employed relatives, cronies, and various undeserving individuals in managerial roles. We, however, prioritize qualifications, expertise, and tangible results. We inherited a deeply flawed system but resolved to change it rather than accept it. We have appointed capable individuals who are answerable to the citizens, not to political parties. Nikšić is aware, and it’s evident in every street, project, and operational municipal service today. Over the next four years, we will enhance our merit-based hiring system and professional oversight because honest work must outweigh political connections. Those who currently criticize us have thrived on corruption for years, masquerading it as politics, yet now play the innocent ones. We have nothing to hide; we are constructing a city where qualifications matter more than party affiliation.

If given another term in Nikšić, what would your first project be?

If the citizens trust us once more, our initial major project will be the creation of “Sunny City,” as housing should be a right, not a luxury. We plan to construct 1,000 apartments under advantageous terms for young people and families to thrive in their community. An application for urban planning and technical requirements for the first 130 apartments has already been submitted.

Concurrently, we continue our work on the House of Digital Revolution and the House of Digital Art, positioning Nikšić as a regional hub of knowledge and innovation. These initiatives lay the groundwork for a new economy—enabling young people to work here rather than sending postcards from abroad. We will also persist with improvements on parking facilities, playgrounds, and municipal infrastructure, recognizing that smaller initiatives are just as crucial as large-scale projects. Unlike those who promise everything while only serving their interests, we commit to daily efforts and uphold our promises. Therefore, the first project post-elections will clearly distinguish those committed to building from those who have spent 30 years tearing down.

Will you resign from your parliamentary role if re-elected as mayor? Why haven’t you done so yet?

Yes, I will resign from my parliamentary role upon re-election as Mayor. I have not done so up to now because I’ve acquired the right to hold both positions and accepted the associated responsibilities. I supported the passage of legal reforms to prevent dual roles in the future.

I solely advocate for Nikšić. I have done so as a member of Montenegro’s Parliament, where I secured additional funding for infrastructure development in Nikšić through amendments. I utilized my entitlements to work for the citizens’ benefit. Post-elections, I will choose to remain hands-on, engaging directly with citizens and directing efforts toward practical solutions. I am here to serve the people and the residents of Nikšić, and when we achieve victory—our work in Nikšić continues.

In Nikšić, discussions revolve around projects, not divisions.

It appears we can’t escape identity/national issues and the preservation of Montenegrin/Serbian identity. When will politicians, including yourself, cease these narratives and focus on real-life matters?

National issues are not something I impose; they are instruments that the former regime wielded to distract from their corruption. The fact that they continually weaponize these themes against me proves they lack real criticisms of our efforts. They are not opposing me; they are opposing Nikšić. Today, people in Nikšić are not discussing divisions but are focused on asphalt, initiatives, progress, and quality of life. Unlike them, we do not categorize individuals by faith or nationality; we prioritize whether one is willing to contribute meaningfully to their city. To me, all residents of Nikšić are equally significant, regardless of name, background, or political affiliation. Still, I will never shy away from my identity, language, or upbringing. I did not create division; I am here to heal it through hard work, respect, and equality. Hence, my focus remains not on “saving” anything but on securing jobs, resolving communal issues, and ensuring a stable future for our children. Nikšić recognizes that I have united citizens rather than divided them toward a shared goal: to improve everyone’s lives.

The DPS had its opportunity; we cannot afford to make mistakes.

Kovačević remarked that their partners at both local and state levels will collaborate further following the elections.

“Over the past four years, we have demonstrated our ability to work cooperatively—without conflict or friction, focused solely on results. Therefore, we will not alter our approach, as what yields positive outcomes does not require modification. We remain open to partnerships with anyone committed to benefiting Nikšić, but without coercion, undisclosed motives, or attempts to revert to old ways. The DPS and their political satellites are not an option for us today or in the future. They had their chance and squandered it, leading to the city’s downfall. We cannot allow ourselves the luxury of error. We engage in agreements to continue building and improving Nikšić. Anyone attempting to revert Nikšić to its previous state will face a wall, not a coalition.

News