| IGOR LUKŠIĆ, NEW PRIME MINISTER OF MONTENEGRO
 The political community in Montenegro can already affirm that new Prime Minister, Igor Lukšić (www.gov.me), who moved into the role at the end of last year, is different from his predecessor Milo Đukanović. At the very beginning of his prime ministerial career, Lukšić opened a series of political talks with representatives of political parties, unions, employers, nongovernmental organisations and media concerning, as he had stated himself, `key matters of the state`.
The new prime minister has announced that he will hold consultations with representatives of political parties and, of course, the opposition, on a threemonthly basis, and in half a year`s time he will meet the interlocutors from the beginning of his mandate. He has already received praises from them, not only because he `auditioned` them, but also because of his approach and the atmosphere which was present at all consultative meetings.
The opposition and the non-governmental sector were dissatisfied with the level of `cooperation` with the former Prime Minister Milo Đukanović. Moreover, they thought and felt that Đukanović was ignoring them. In this sense, Lukšić has presented himself differently and is already scoring his first points. There are just a few similarities between Lukšić and Đukanović. They both graduated from the Faculty of Economy in Podgorica, although the new prime minister won the title for the best student of his generation, whereas his predecessor is said to have been a `D` student. Lukšić, like Đukanović also started dealing in politics at a young age. At the age of 34, Igor Lukšić is the youngest prime minister in Europe, which was also the case with Đukanović, who took over governing Montenegro three decades ago, when he was 29 years old. They both love basketball.
“I want to build a system where unemployed people will look for jobs and not welfare”
The new prime minister however has made it clear that he has his own political identity and he wants to define himself as a `new` figure. Although he initially paid tribute to Đukanović by saying that he had the `exquisite honour` to have had the opportunity to work on his team, it is objectively important for Lukšić to convince the public as soon as possible that he is not a political `descendant` in all matters, regardless of the fact that the former prime minister had introduced him earlier as his `heir`. A part of the opposition held this against him in the elections, and the Social People`s Party and New Serbian Democracy voted against him. The Opposition Movement for Changes however gave him conditional support.
Lukšić has made some personnel and organisational changes in the government to a greater degree than was expected. He has introduced six new ministers, and reset and altered some departments in terms of their organisation, even going as far as names. He has also created a new department - for science and technology - sending the message that he wishes to keep young, capable scientists and experts in Montenegro. He commented that the election of young people to ministers` positions was an invitation for them to apply for important positions in the state administration. Personnel changes at lower levels of state administration have also been announced. Having Lukšić as prime minister has many advantages, but it seems that he will constantly be `scrutinised` to see whether he has `broken from` the alleged influence of Đukanović who, as some representatives of the opposition still claim, will rule from the shadows. There are however, many signals which indicate that such doubts are unfounded. Moreover, one has the impression that Lukšić and Đukanović have `an agreement` when it comes to the way in which they will treat each other. Lukšić is taking an independent approach and is gradually imposing his `style of work` out of the conviction that it is the political necessity of Montenegro after winning the status of a candidate for membership to the European Union, but also that it is important to Đukanović that the public accepts the new prime minister.
At the age of 34, Igor Lukšić is the youngest prime minister in Europe, which was also the case with Đukanović
In his promotional expose, Lukšić mentioned the important tasks and goals set by Đukanović`s office, but he also managed to set a new tone. For instance, he said that the success of his government would not be measured only by what Brussels is asking from Podgorica, although he would personally coordinate the completion of the candidates` assignments for the EU, but also by the living standard of citizens. In addition he has commented - „I want to build a system where unemployed people will look for jobs and not welfare“; „I will strongly support the strengthening of the revision of expenditure of tax-payers` money“; „Society should not be dependent on the budget, but should depend on individual contributions of citizens and companies“; „I will ask everybody to answer for their part of the job“; „The future is not determined, we are all responsible for it, individually and collectively“.
Relatively quickly, maybe by summer, but certainly by the end of the year, Lukšić will show what he has bought to Montenegro in terms of political and broader changes, whether he was able to be independent or worked `in the shadow` of his `political parent`, and whether the new Montenegrin leader will be defined by his personality.
By Ilija DESPOTOVIĆ |
