You are reading daily contextual review of the news that marked the previous day.
By Ljubomir Filipović, CdM analyst
Hopefully you had a great weekend.
While you are watching most-read CDM news last week, we want to remind you that two topics have preoccupied political life in Montenegro since Friday. The first, scandalous enough – prime minister-designate presented final list of the candidates for ministers in the new Government of Montenegro and the second – Serbian Ambassador Božović was declared persona non grata in Montenegro. But let’s go one thing at a time.
A little bit of expert and a lot of political staff
On Friday, slightly after noon, prime minister-designate presented the list of the candidates for ministers in the new government. W carried out competency and political affiliation analysis of the candidates. Out of 12 ministers, 4 fulfill meet the criteria. The government is dominantly equipped with people from the church. Mr Krivokapić didn’t give up on Ms Vesna Bratić, as civil public expected.
Scandal over candidacies
Although we and the other media have received the information that Mr Goran Đurović will be Defense Minister, Ms Olivera Injac was nominated instead. This came as surprise not only to us, but also to Mr Đurović who said that he had been informed about the change of decision only ten minutes before the press conference. Then URA leader addressed the public, trying to repair the damage in relation to the situation of Mr Đurović but also that of Ms Jovana Marović, who was also nominated for the chief EU negotiator, the information Mr Krivokapić denied. The public was very surprised with such acts.
Support despite dissatisfaction
Despite critics aimed at the approach and method of the selection of new candidates, Democrats decided to put their trust in the new government. Mr Nebojša Medojević stated something similar, who also continues to accuse of “having a deal with DPS”. Only URA and Mr Marko Milačić have pledged their unconditional support.
“Banishing” the ambassador
Ambassador of Serbia, Mr Vladimir Božović, keeps provoking Montenegrin public. Latest positive statements related to Podgorica Assembly, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Our government declared him persona non grata and set a deadline for him to leave the country. Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reciprocated and did the same with our ambassador but the decision was withdrawn quickly. EU reacted too, calling for the maintenance of stable neighborly relations. Commissioner Várhelyi praised withdrawal of Serbia’s decision and called on Montenegro to do the same.
Critics from Montenegro
Although they failed to react to Mr Božović’s provocations, prime minister-designate and URA didn’t want to criticize Mr Božović’s behavior either. On the contrary, Mr Krivokapić criticized actions of the outgoing government.
Bishop Joanikije also harshly condemned expulsion of the ambassador. Just like Mr Knežević and Mr Mandić did.
That’s all for today. Until tomorrow.
