Podgorica Council’s Vote on Temporary Structures Sparks Controversy

The Podgorica City Assembly will convene today to discuss the Program for Temporary Structures within the capital. Among the proposals is the inclusion of hospitality venues in several major parks. Stefan Ćulafić, an official from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), has raised concerns regarding the implications of this initiative, particularly for the upcoming referendum in Zeta.

Ćulafić expressed his anticipation about the stance of the ruling majority, especially the Democratic People’s Party (DNP), on the proposal for temporary structures within the KO Dajbabe area. This area includes plots designated for a wastewater treatment plant, which has become a focal point of political debate.

He emphasized that should the DNP support the proposed program, it would effectively endorse the construction of the treatment plant on the specified parcels. Ćulafić argued that this action would validate the current status of the parcels within the territory of Podgorica, thereby undermining the political relevance of the anticipated referendum in Zeta.

“The support of the DNP for this program would delegitimize the announced referendum in Zeta,” Ćulafić stated. He further criticized the positions held by M. Knežević, the DNP president, and M. Asanović, the mayor of Zeta, suggesting that their narrative around the treatment plant lacks political significance.

In a social media post, Ćulafić included images of the parcels slated for the treatment plant’s construction. He pointed out that adjacent to these properties are the temporary structures planned under numbers 203a and 203b.

The assembly’s decision today could significantly shape the political landscape in Podgorica and Zeta, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding urban development and public infrastructure. The outcome will likely influence future discussions regarding both the treatment plant and local governance.

As citizens await the assembly’s decision, the implications of the program extend beyond mere urban planning, raising questions about political accountability and community engagement in the decision-making process.