POLITICS IN SERBIA BECAME A BUSINESS
6.08.2015

With President of Palilula Boban Džunić spoke Maja Vodeničarski

Years in politics have brought a lot of what one does not expect ... You go with completely pure intent and run into a wall of misunderstanding ... says about politics today, the president of Palilula Municipality Boban Džunić. We wanted to find out why this successful attorney from Nis today prefer visiting the construction sites than work in a suit in court of justice.

Why in politics, whether he was forced to do so for some dissatisfaction in life, the desire to change something or simply today many people are in politics and come on and I'll join them anyway...

'Synthesis little bit of everything ... Dissatisfaction, wishes to change many things and it seemed like a lot of things can change in one town, but when you go into it all ... in politics and in those waters and things do not seem quite so how they seem in the first place. When this kind of surrounding shapes you, in a way, it is not easy ... I often have to explain some things and that someone whom you speak does not want to understand, what you explain. If you drive an average car, why do you not drive this ... Why don`t you drive some domestic home made car? Sometimes I wonder whether it would fit to ride in the horse carriages ... but then we would have been attacked by some tabloid anyway.

Politics in Serbia became business, many who entered politics entered in this sense, to be able better to promote themselves and thus break through, because they are not realized themselves as a people in their private lives, even in their professions ... because what they finished -their education and school do not fit the current job, they are not respected in his neighborhood, village, town and decided to go for politics to make up for all of it.

In my case it's all the opposite thing - in my profession I am a realized and complete person, there is love for lawyer business inherited from my late father. Because of politics I lost my license because everything is politicized, even the Bar Association and my existence after doing politics is under one big question. But I'm going to defend my rights if needed to all to way to Strasbourg, because what kind of a lawyer you would be if you could not defend yourself. "

From this point ... Was that the right choice what to do in Serbia- uncertain politics or was it better to remain in the safe practice of law. How much is this for you the right way?

"To be honest, when I stepped into these waters, I could not know what awaits for me there. You are at the time dismissed as of cushions in the pool and if you do not know to land on your feet, then you do not know which hole you're falling into ... because if you're not stable, strong and sure of yourself, then you are a sword in the hands of the others. I am not such a person, I have never been a toy, and I do what I think is right. I'm not saying that I am sinless, but always admit my mistake, although these are only some little things. Many people who work in Nis institutions and administration, with all due respect to those who honestly earn their money, does not deserve their pay. I entered from private business into politics and I was completely not familiar with what in fact is happening in this sphere of life. Many people are there formally and just figuring. "

There are great problems in the state, the city, it is not the time for political light points, whether it is easier for today's politicians to perform their jobs or to those before you, there was less of a problem - a little more money. How does it look now go into politics?

"Every time period carries his own burden. There have been wars, sanctions and possibly for politicians then it is difficult but I think us as hard as we came to the functions that deal with the problems that we have inherited. I am not a man to sit in the office waiting for the problems to be solved during this time receiving a "sort of some money". I'm a very energetic person and for the fact that I lived for two decades performing my skills and law `craft`, I will continue with that after doing politics - to engage in advocacy. Although I am the president of a poor municipality that wants to do something for the city and the Republic, it does not prevent me to fight. With the support of the European Union through the IPA CBC Bulgaria - Serbia in the Municipality of Palilula have been implemented more projects and will continue to do so. Were it not for these activities and EU fundings, the question would be raised whether we as a town municipality do exist at all? In Belgrade, a commission was established to amend the Statute of the City, in order to share competence of the public administration in more efficient way. I wanted that to copy and paste in Nis, but it did not meet with approvals, because someone felt threatened. Some people have gone astray in this work to the city level. There are good and hardworking people, but some just habe not managed. I can not wait for some new elections, to measure and show who did what in his mandate. I have "tied hands" in my job, because the competencies are very small. Maybe to someone it looks as if I spoke from the viewpoint of the opposition, but I really want to do something for their city. I am not emphasizing the fact that I was born in Nis, since everyone is Nis citizens who live in our city and wishes only the good to it. But I remain convinced that in responsible positions of power city should be capable and qualified people. I'd worked differently than it is now working in the executive branch of the city.

Every day in the field, one has the opportunity to listen to the residents of the village that winds, each of which has its own problem, and we are interested in what people are looking for from the Mayor, what bothers them and what they expect ...

"Expectations are high and there are few options. Small opportunities are because when we came to these functions, municipalities and public enterprises were chaotic. Large holes in the city budget and municipalities, large debt of public enterprises. And when it came to the moment to solve all those, we were in trouble. Communal problems local authorities have priority. We should not forget the needs of education, health, culture, sports, non- governmental sector, but we know what is important to our citizens. We, in the Municipality of Palilula, in the first mandate, established the Development strategy and we stick up to it. I think the City with other Municipalities can function in the other way. Some people in higher positions in the City could do a lot more, but have not yet. Somehow "Nis officials forget that they are from Nis as soon as they pass pay road gate. They should not have been where they are, because they are the most beautiful, but for the fact to fight for the people, to fight against corruption..They should be like managers and bring the investors. For years we have been talking about our industrial recovery and development, new jobs. What can we do at the local level in particular, for that situation to improve the quality of life of our citizens?

And whenever we talk about investors and about the problems, the citizens of Nis say that all this stuff is not going right, because the leading party members do not get along and that's a reflection of the bad work. Do frictions in Nis SNS touch anyhow Palilula, we asked the Municipal president.

"I just did not let that" frictions to be transferred to Municipal level. I'm sorry that we could not do more. Such centralism in the City is not good at all. For instance, large funds were able to enter the City budget on the basis of collecting various taxes, around billboards. Municipal services would have completed their jobs more efficiently and also better. The budget was being filled,it was invested in the investments and other needs of citizens, but because of "centralism", now it is not working. Due to the inefficiency of the Directorate of Finance, collection of funds only from this position is considerably less.

How confident are you that the Belgrade recipe is good for our region and how complicated is to implement it here?

"If I were in a higher position in the City I am sure that such a mechanism would be carried out and believe me, when something I intent to do, I do it. So I want to put together professional people to help with this work because I do not push away experts from myself, but invite them to do a lot more together. "

If you were the first man of the city what would be the first thing for you to solve, what is the biggest problem?

"I would improve the existing system of functioning of the City, from management and services, companies and institutions onward. City Municipalities would be given greater jurisdictions, authority and responsibility. Changing the system is not easy, neither popular and easily. It is not easy all implemented. It takes a good plan, environment, resources. This outdated system of work may have been good once, today, it is no longer. It must be changed. The initiative was adopted by the Assembly of Palilula, three years ago, to convey more competences to City Municipalities of Nis, unfortunately, remained somewhere in a city drawer. "

Rating of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic grows every day, although the rating of SNS party and its politicians fall, how do you comment on this phenomenon and how much it will be difficult for a few months when elections come? What do you expect from the elections?

"Rating of Aleksandar Vucic indeed from month-to-month increases. Activities, enthusiasm, energy, and everything that makes our prime minister is known in the nation. Rating of SNS is about 50 percent but is far below the personal rating of the Prime Minister and our task is to strive to be even closer to this rating. All disputes and indiscipline in the party functionaries were contributed to the rating falls. Our municipal committee of SNS Palilula was once one of the strongest in Serbia. In our committee was known work, order and discipline! It is for this committee that come from some current of the officials who lead the party in Nis, so I hope that once they something learned. We were a party soldiers, respected the orders of our party. It is important that the board operates as a family. Of course we have disagreements in our` family`, but all that can be resolved. There have been exclusions, disciplinary proceedings, if it is necessary. Our SNS has over half a million members. There are also those who are in the party for personal interests. I'm not one of them. The current problem that I have with legal attorney license says a lot about it. For my rights and work I will fight in the regular procedures with the competent judicial instances. I'm not going to whine ... I will fight! Prime minister Vucic also directs us like that.

Rank, responsibilities, problems and constant struggle - all this color the life of Palilula president in Nis, but where's the family?

"If something is suffering because of my involvement in politics and my current position that is certainly my family."

Do you have a guilty conscience because of that?

"Yes, I have and it's the price I pay and my family also. I came into this I started somewhere and they all understand it and support me. Few moments are for leisure, meeting with friends. And when the family comes up with that problem that everything is now set like this, it is for my health, which is often marred by effort, frequent nervousness and stress! "confirms Džunić."

President Džunić withheld the fact that his darling daughter is successful sportswoman and has successes in many competitions for the simple reason that she would have been protected. There were cases when she was exposed to threats and he as a father did not like that. There is also a proceeding against the hooligans who dared to threaten my family and make problems at my doorstep. I hope that this first step procedure, which lasts for two years, will finally be completed and justice is done. That's the cost of dealing with politics .. But he would not allow it ... "Do not dare to touch my family it is not a clever thing to do finishes Dzunic the interview.