Prime minister Dusko Markovic said that opposition’s policy of boycotting the Parliament of Montenegro was irresponsible. Opposition does not recognise the elections which have been recognized by all relevant international entities.
When addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, on the tenth anniversary of Montenegro’s membership in this European organisation, Markovic assessed that Parliament was the only place for a political debate.
“I regret to note that our national delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly lacks representatives of the parliamentary opposition. In addition to this assembly and the European Parliament, the opposition is boycotting the national parliament, as well. The election result of October 2016, the legitimacy of which has been recognised by this Parliamentary Assembly in accordance with its competencies, the OSCE-ODIHR, the European Union and the entire international community, was not accepted only by the Montenegrin opposition. It has resulted in their boycott of the national parliament, despite numerous calls to return to parliament, the only place for an essential political debate. Such behaviour is irresponsible and shows that we have not learned lessons from the past,” Markovic said in response to journalists’ questions when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
The prime minister said that the boycott created a crisis of parliamentarism.
“At a turning point for Europe, which faces the challenges of populism, migration, terrorism, religious radicalisation, financial crisis, and many others – the boycott of national parliament, or this assembly, or European Parliament means creating a crisis of parliamentarism, endangering democracy, weakening the role of parliamentary diplomacy and eroding values all European societies are based on,” Markovic said.
According to him, opposition’s behaviour further polarises the society, including polarising and politicising the media scene
Speaking about the media, the PM recalled that Montenegro decriminalised defamation, supported media freedom and that he personally believes that media self-regulation would become a reality in our country sooner or later.
“Raising awareness of decision-makers about the citizens’ right and the need to know and be informed must go along with the professionalization of the media scene and the development of its pluralism… Also, I believe that the idea of self-regulation of the media, which is the basic prerequisite for their professionalization must become a Montenegrin reality sooner or later. The government of Montenegro supports the work of the Council of Europe in the part of the policies related to the promotion of media freedom by supporting the platform for protecting security of journalists and journalism. We are committed to cooperation even when we disagree, being aware that we are ultimately closer to the needs of citizens, when the control mechanisms are stronger,” said Markovic.
