TIRANA, October 30 – The chairman of the “Albanian Forum”, Nik Gjeloshaj, will be the new Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro and Minister of Economy. This was announced by Gjeloshaj in a post on social networks on Monday.
In the new government of Montenegro, it is expected that there will be 2 more ministerial posts that will be held by Albanians, respectively Fatmir Gjeka will take the direction of the Ministry of Minorities. Meanwhile, Marash Dukaj will be the next Minister of Public Administration.
Gjeloshaj, who has held the post of mayor of Tuzi for 55 months, thanked the citizens and collaborators for the work done, as he promised that he will continue to work not only for this municipality, but for all Albanians in Montenegro.
“I am aware of the challenges that await us, because as I said, this is a marathon to work and develop the Highlands and the Albanians! The journey will be challenging, but my effort will be maximum to keep my word! And I will do this with flesh and soul, as I did in the Municipality of Tuz,” said Gjeloshaj.
In the meantime the Associated Press said on Monday that after months of political bickering, the parliament in NATO member and EU candidate Montenegro is set to vote Monday on a proposed new government that will hinge on support from pro-Russian and anti-Western groups.
A recently formed centrist “Europe Now” coalition that advocates the small Balkan country joining the European Union won early parliamentary elections in June, but without enough support to form a government on its own.
Following months of negotiations, the winning coalition received backing from staunchly anti-Western groups under the condition that one of their leaders, Andrija Mandic, was elected as the speaker of parliament — an influential political position.
The coalition agreement also includes the condition that the pro-Serbian groups will join the government within a year with their government ministries.
Mandic had called for close ties with Russia rather than the EU, criticized Montenegro’s NATO membership and was against splitting from much bigger Serbia in a referendum in 2006.
Mandic, who was elected on Monday, said that he is ready to “send some new messages,” forget what he has advocated in the past and focus on the future of the country.
“My mission is to reconcile the divisions in Montenegro, and that’s how I’ll behave,” he said.
Opposition officials claimed that this was a “black day” for Montenegro and its hopes of joining the EU anytime soon.
Hundreds of opposition supporters waving Montenegrin flags staged a protest in front of the parliament building in the capital against the new government.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to hold talks with the new Montenegrin prime minister on Tuesday in the capital, Podgorica, as a part of her tour of the Western Balkan states seeking EU membership. /argumentum.al
