The main topic concerns international criticism and issues in the process of awarding the concession for Montenegrin airports, particularly due to the tender commission’s decision to reject the technical bid of one bidder without clear justification. The President of the Social Democratic Party, Ivan Vujović, and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić emphasize that this is a serious international embarrassment and a warning that could damage Montenegro’s reputation and its European path. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank group, has expressed concern and called for transparency and proper conduct of the tender commission. The government responded by postponing the tender commission meeting until all details are reviewed. This situation causes political tensions and highlights problems in public procurement management in Montenegro.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the corruption and mismanagement within the Montenegrin government, highlighting the lack of transparency and accountability in the tender process. They focus on the international embarrassment as a symptom of deeper systemic issues and call for reforms to ensure fair and transparent public procurement.
Center: Centrist sources report the facts of the tender commission’s decision and the IFC’s concerns, presenting statements from government officials and opposition leaders. They emphasize the importance of following proper procedures to maintain Montenegro’s international reputation and European integration prospects, without strong partisan bias.
Right: Right-leaning sources tend to highlight the government’s failures and incompetence, framing the situation as a political scandal that undermines national interests. They may criticize the ruling parties for damaging Montenegro’s image abroad and call for stronger governance and accountability measures.