Member of the governing Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Mr Petra Ivanović, says in the interview with CdM that new Political Program of his party opens new room for those who want to respond to challenges with their knowledge, ideas and skills. He says that this program contains nine connected principles, all of them equally important for Montenegro’s development. Mr Ivanović points out that a great injustice has been done to Montenegro, especially in the context of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church. He announces sweeping victory of DPS in the elections scheduled for next year.
CdM: At the forthcoming Congress of DPS, you will adopt the new program. Does it differ from previous programs?
Mr Ivanović: Times we live in are characterized by dynamic changes. Montenegro is much more different than it was when DPS took over power. We are faced with numerous challenges. It’s important to identify those challenges and adapt the Program. This new program is clear, short and modern. It contains program plans and ideas for the next four years, as well as guiding principles for the Government’s new term. It opens room for those who want to respond to challenges using their knowledge, ideas and skills.
CdM: What are the priorities DPS is going to base its policy on?
Mr Ivanović: DPS political program contains nine closely connected principles. They are all equally important for Montenegro’s further development. Our genuine intention to continue with comprehensive reforms and reach European system of values is at the core of every principle. Citizen is our starting point – the power and creativity every individual has and respect for right to be different, clear intention to increase economic freedoms, and chances to develop more dynamically. We want to enhance entrepreneurial culture, build safe society, strengthen Montenegro’s identity, improve human rights and common values, build institutional framework which corresponds to Montenegro’s needs.
CdM: Is the status of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church on the list of your priorities?
Mr Ivanović: There’s no list of priorities. This program is a whole and every part of it is important. DPS advocates for the principle that state and religious communities should act independently. They shouldn’t meddle into one another’s activities. We believe in Montenegro that is strongly founded in tradition and historical values of freedom, mutual respect, moral norms, coexistence in a small and unique space. Great injustice has been done to Montenegro. The issue of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church is injustice. We want to correct that and form basis for freedom of speech, establishment of spiritual infrastructure which will enable protection of rights and freedoms of every citizen. Therefore, we are going to work on the restoration of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church.
CdM: Better living standard is your top priority. Have you done enough in that context for the past ten years, or you think you could have done more?
Mr Ivanović: We can always do more. However, considering everything that has been going on in Montenegro, Europe and in the world for the past ten years, we can definitely say a lot has been done. Maybe we could have worked more on stimulating working spirit, innovation and thinking that without hard work and dedication we cannot improve living standard.
CdM: Are political topics still “more important” than economic and existential ones?
Mr Ivanović: From the point of view of en economist, the answer is: yeas, they are. Actually, political topics have been dominant for so long. Imagine of the energy used for daily divisions was put in work and creation instead. More than 80 years ago, Nikola Đonović wrote: “In this political mayhem, sense for economic and organization and struggle just couldn’t exist. Average man is not capable of historic lessons. Present has derived from the past but it’s not ruled by it”.Sometimes, seems like we are not feeling the reality and directions in which the world around us is developing.
CdM: Is the current public debt a threat to Montenegro’s economy?
Mr Ivanović: The question is: What is it used for? If it’s used for increasing public consumption, than there’s problem. If it’s used for investment, then it’s alright. The use of the debt might be a risk, not the debt itself.
CdM: Parliamentary elections are scheduled for next year. What are your expectations?
Mr Ivanović: Sweeping victory of DPS!
Miraš Dušević
