You are reading a daily contextual overview of the news that marked the previous day.
By Ljubomir Filipović, CdM observer
Cohabitation
In my opinion, cohabitation functions very well. We all learn about democracy by watching the relation between the presidents of the government and the parliament. Mutual control of different branches of power and bodies in this important period of Montenegrin politics is of great importance for the stability of the state and the system. Ideally, the government should take on the role of reformer, while the president remains the guarantor and guardian of statehood and sovereignty. I’m afraid that there’s only a trace of reforms, and hope that populism and the desire to accumulate power of the new leaders won’t make more problems than benefits.
Parliament Speaker, Mr Aleksa Bečić, yesterday convened the session of the 27th Convocation of the First Extraordinary Sitting in 2021 for 20 January. MPs are supposed to re-adopt the laws that President Đukanović returned for re-examination.
Speaking in TV Nikšić, PM Zdravko Krivkapić told that President Đukanović had acted in line with the Constitution of Montenegro even though he first accused him of violating it.
While the Prime Minister urged all ambassadors to return to Montenegro until 18 January, President Đukanović noted that he would once again use his authorizations guaranteed by the Constitution, that is, he would not back the decision on recalling the ambassadors without an in-depth justification. As he’s the one who finally decides on sending or recalling ambassadors, the government cannot do anything without his consent.
Former chief of diplomacy, known for his opposition and critical attitude towards the rule of the DPS, said that President Đukanović’s gestures in these two cases were expected and the only correct ones. On the other hand, Mr Zlatko Vujović, warns that we can come to a constitutional crisis by fighting, and suggests a dialogue on key issues and finding a compromise.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Professor Kenneth Morrison reflected on the previous work of the government, criticized staff working in the security sector, and connected the urgent adoption of the Freedom of Religion Law with close ties between the government and the Serbian Orthodox Church. It’s good to see that people from the West understand how dangerous the current government is and are gradually giving up on their original enthusiasm.
You can read my interview for the Belgrade Novi Magazin here ovom linku. I was commenting on the government, cohabitation and generally the political situation in the country. Numerous media across Montenegro and Serbia published the interview.
The DPS harshly criticized Mr Abazović’s threats to dismiss Mr Đukanović, and compared him to Beri, which Mr Aleksandar Radoman did earlier as well.
One of the leaders of the security sector, Mr Milan Knežević, also commented on cohabitation and warned his associates.
Family fights and reconciliations
The leaders of the Montenegrin security sector in the executive and legislative power, Mr Dritan Abazović and Mr Milan Knežević, had a coffee yesterday with ex-director of the national airline, Montenegro Airlines, and allegedly discussed staff issues in the new company. It’s interesting to recall that the two used to accuse this same man for corruption and bad management.
Mr Medojević continues to criticize and insults his partners. First, he accused them of corruption regarding the emission of bonds, and then noted that the PM was telling nonsense.
If you ask me, we have cohabitation within cohabitation. And it’s much more complicated than the one with the DPS.
Reaction of gratitude
A chain of parties condemned yesterday threats sent to my family, primarily the SDP, the LP, the Montenegrin Party and the Civic Movement URA. The Media Self-Regulation Council, as well the European Movement in MNE, HRA, NGO 35mm and the Montenegrin PEN Center also reacted. I was especially pleased with the reaction of Professor Ratko Božović. I’m glad that solidarity and the existence of a healthy and resilient civil society in Montenegro have been proven by my example.
That’s all for today. Until tomorrow.
