Prime Minister Milojko Spajić expressed his support for the announced boycott of retail chains and called on retailers to maintain fair relations with consumers.
Spajić, speaking on the TV show “Nacrtani sa Goranom Šćekićem” on the Montenegrin Television, said he understands the motives of the citizens and emphasized the importance of vocalizing their dissatisfaction.
“As a citizen, I support such an action,” Spajić said, as reported by the RTCG portal.
He added that as soon as a more favorable option comes along, citizens will leave the retail chains if the markets do not maintain fair relations with consumers.
Spajić also stated that when Montenegro joins the European Union (EU), companies like Lidl and others will enter the market, possibly even before the country becomes an EU member.
“Lidl is working intensively on this. If domestic retailers don’t treat local consumers fairly, they will certainly lose them,” said Spajić.
He also mentioned that he would encourage all relevant EU competitors to enter the Montenegrin market.
In January last year, Montenegro raised the minimum pension to 450 EUR, and from February, those who did not feel this increase will receive an additional boost, which will be reflected in retail chains, Spajić added.
Regarding the protests organized by students, Spajić said it was their democratic right.
“We hear all the messages from the citizens. We invited student representatives, but they refused the invitation. Their doors are always open. I don’t consider them the opposition, I think we are on the same side,” Spajić said.
When asked about the students’ demands for the resignation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Danilo Šaranović, and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, he said that resignation is a personal decision.
Spajić reminded that the government had introduced new methodologies for evaluating ministers’ work and that periodic government reshuffles would take place.
“I think resignation is a personal decision, and no one can force you to resign. As prime minister, I have the right to make changes, which I will do in the future,” Spajić said.
He noted that there are many challenges in the security sector but urged to give time to see how the situation will unfold. However, he emphasized that dismissals are always on the table during government reshuffles.
“You saw that I didn’t hesitate to dismiss our ministers when necessary,” Spajić concluded.
