Vojin Batuta Elected New President of Kotor Municipal Assembly

Vojin Batuta from the Grbaljska lista has been elected as the new president of the Kotor Municipal Assembly. He was chosen during the first session of the newly elected assembly on the morning of October 15, 2024, receiving 20 votes from the ruling coalition. The opposition, represented by two members from the European Coalition, opposed his election, while ten members of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) abstained from voting.

In his inaugural address, Batuta expressed a commitment to uphold the duties of his office in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and the municipality’s statutes. He stated, “It is my exceptional honor, but also a significant obligation and responsibility to serve as the president of the Municipal Assembly of this ancient city, rich in history and cultural heritage, which is under UNESCO protection.” He emphasized the importance of fostering mutual respect and valuing diversity in Kotor, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious community.

Batuta acknowledged the historic significance of his election, marking the first time the Grbaljska lista has had representation in the Kotor parliament. He noted, “We have long awaited this moment, and alongside our coalition partners, we are ready to work towards the improvement and development of our city, particularly in terms of infrastructure in the Grblje area.” He highlighted the aspiration for Kotor to be recognized as a municipality that embodies European and global values, especially in tourism.

The assembly session commenced with the national anthem of Montenegro and was led by the oldest member of the new assembly, Željko Avramović from DPS. A moment of silence was observed in honor of deceased assembly members, Antun Pani Milošević and Rajko Dašić. Following this, the president of the Municipal Electoral Commission, Anka Perović, presented the report on the results of the local elections held on September 29, 2024, which confirmed the mandates of the elected officials.

According to the final election results, the new assembly majority consists of 17 mandates from the following electoral lists: the coalition “Vladimir Jokic-Dobar glas za gradonačelnika-Demokrate-PES” with 10 mandates, “Democratic Alternative-dr Davor Kumburović-DA se Kotor pita” with 3 mandates, “Grbaljska lista-Tvoja, moja, naša” with 3 mandates, and “Kotorski pokret-Sinisa Kovacevic” with 1 mandate. The opposition holds 16 mandates across various parties, including DPS and the European Coalition.

In supporting Batuta’s candidacy, the president of the Kotor Municipality, Vladimir Jokic, stated that the coalition of parties in power agreed on his nomination, expressing hope that the new assembly would act in the citizens’ best interests and facilitate frequent sessions to address the city’s needs.

Despite the support, there were objections raised regarding the procedural conduct of the meeting. Member Miloš Čelanović from the European Coalition expressed concerns about not receiving an official invitation for the assembly session, suggesting that this oversight be rectified in the future to prevent similar situations.

The election of Batuta came after a protracted period of political instability in Kotor. The DPS, while acknowledging the election results, criticized the legitimacy of the process leading to the new assembly. Member Srđan Dragomanović noted the extended delay and questioned the stability and cohesion of the new majority, pointing out that the formation of this assembly reflects a historical lack of political turnover in the region.

Batuta’s election is seen as both a moment of hope and a challenge, with constituents eager for progress after a year marked by political deadlock and dissatisfaction. As Kotor embarks on this new chapter, the focus will remain on effective governance and the promotion of the city’s rich cultural heritage.