The Public Deserves Transparency on Who is Allocating Resources, When, and on Whose Authority
During today’s session, councilors from the ruling majority in the Bar Municipal Assembly (DPS, SD, SDP, Liberal Party) dismissed a proposal by URA Civic Movement councilor Ferida Peročević to introduce an agenda item titled: “Information on projects offered to an investor from the UAE – review of the jurisdiction, powers, and interests of the Bar Municipality,” as announced by the Bar URA.
“As per public information, the Mayor of Bar Municipality Dušan Raičević (DPS) previously held a meeting with an investor from the United Arab Emirates, without obtaining prior approval from the Bar Municipal Assembly, during which he showcased various potential projects in the Municipality of Bar,” the statement elaborates.
The Bar URA expressed that they aimed to bring this matter up in the local parliament because the citizens of Bar “deserve to know the truth.” They emphasized, “We need clarity on whether Raičević, in his capacity as mayor and representative of the executive branch, had the legal authority to unilaterally present Bar’s strategic resources without prior consent from the Assembly.”
They asserted that by rejecting this proposal, the councilors of the ruling party effectively obstructed “a lawful and transparent review of any potential overreach of jurisdiction and possible legal violations.”
They also extended their gratitude to opposition members who, “in contrast to the ruling structure, have demonstrated an understanding of the fundamental principles of the rule of law.”
“The executive branch, regardless of who it involves, cannot independently make choices that impact strategic resources or public property without the legislative body’s prior consent, which in this instance is the Bar Municipal Assembly. The URA Civic Movement will persist in advocating for accountability and the safeguarding of public interests. We will not cease our efforts here, but will pursue inquiries through other institutions and legally established mechanisms to ascertain whether any laws have been breached and if the mayor’s powers have been exceeded,” stated the Bar board of the URA Civic Movement.
They reaffirmed their belief that the public “has the right to know who, when, and on whose authority is proposing public resources,” particularly concerning “potential projects that affect state and municipal property.” “Democratic and responsible governance of local self-government requires participation and consent from all elected representatives of the citizens,” the statement concluded.
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