He said that the political stability is “the most valued resource of modern Montenegro” and that it cannot be endangered. Ever since January 27th when SDP and its leader voted no confidence to the Government, we have been witness to a political absurd, which is the reason a group of representatives had asked for replacement of Krivokapić. There can be no dynamic work in the Parliament until this question is resolved. It is necessary for the Parliament to resume its activities, because there are 68 laws suggested by the Government, waiting to be passed. Some of them have been collecting dust for years.
WEDN: President of the Parliament has cancelled the session during which his replacement should have been discussed. He shifted responsibility to DPS, saying he did that because of the “obstructions” created by the strongest political party…
SIMOVIĆ: This is a classical shift of thought. There are no obstructions made by DPS. A group of representatives used their right given to them by Regulation and suggested a different daily schedule, leaving out a few points. This was not done in order to obstruct something, but in order to resolve an open political issue concerning the position of president of Parliament. Our obligation was to resolve the obvious absurd that has been in force since January 27th, when SDP and its leader voted no confidence to the Government. It has been expected that Mr Krivokapić would resign himself, following basic political logic, consistency and democratic standards.
WEDN: After the Collegium, you stated that the Regulation and constitutional obligations were broken.
SIMOVIĆ: Unfortunately, Montenegrin and international public had been witness to this obstruction and cancellation of the session in strict transgression with the Regulation and constitutional obligations. The matter of replacement is postponed for several days. This question was raised formally by 36 representatives from 5 parliamentary parties, with clear support from some other parties in the Parliament. This reminds me of a situation when a child knows he will lose the game, so he takes the ball and leaves the game, at times even threatening to destroy the ball, so no one could play anymore.
WEDN: One of the objections to you is that this has slowed down passing of important laws?
SIMOVIĆ: On the contrary, our goal was to bring a more dynamic pace to the Parliament. We want to provide an environment for these laws to be passed as soon as possible, as well as some other laws that have been collecting dust for years in the Parliament.
WEDN: How many laws are there in Parliament’s schedule at the moment?
SIMOVIĆ: To this day, there are 68 drafts of the laws waiting to be discussed in the Parliament. These laws were prepared and suggested by the Government of Montenegro.
WEDN: Is it true that some of these drafts had been collecting dust in the Parliament for years?
SIMOVIĆ: It is true. Some laws had been in the Parliament for 5 years now. Laws of great economic and general significance to the citizens of Montenegro. For instance, there is a Law on Legalization of Informal Facilities, that is eagerly awaited by many families all over Montenegro, as well as many local administrations that would use it to organize space and financial sustainability.
WEDN: Do you expect that the replacement of Krivokapić would bring forth a normal relationship between the Government and the Parliament?
SIMOVIĆ: Of course. The replacement will usher the road to a universal democratic political basis of relationship between the Government and the Parliament. There will be a clear line of responsibility between the leadership and the opposition; a functional system that respects the principles of constitutional share of the leadership, with clear jurisdiction of executive and legal branch of leadership. The strength of the Parliament needs to be clearly demonstrated by its 81 representatives, not one individual. The Parliament needs to be a place where different opinions are discussed in the name of people, in front of the people, in the interest of people. It must not be used as a platform for promotion of any individual, or the protection of anyone’s private interests.
WEDN: Did you expect that Krivokapić would resign himself?
SIMOVIĆ: Yes, I expressed this expectation publicly on January 16th, immediately after SDP stated that they would vote no confidence to the Government. Clearly, we are left without this sound and democratic, logical move on his part. A month has passed since the vote of confidence to initiative for replacement, and not even all this time has made him face political reality.
WEDN: What has been the focus of DPS and its representatives in the Parliament lately?
SIMOVIĆ: Considerable energy, dedication and productivity of DPS in the last months has been directed to the dialogue with responsible political subjects in order to create conditions for democratic electoral process, results of which are under no question. They will provide further dynamic development of Montenegro, providing political stability, which is the most valued resource of modern Montenegro. These are the clear reasons for DPS’s responsible and honest involvement in parliamentary dialogue. DPS is dedicated to finding a solution that will enable accomplishment of key state goals in interest of all citizens.
WEDN: What do you expect from political agreement between the leadership and the opposition?
SIMOVIĆ: First of all, political agreement is a condition for overcoming mutual distrust between parliamentary parties when it comes to electoral process. There is an open possibility for all responsible political subjects to take over a part of responsibility and use their involvement to provide immediate control of all necessary elements in the electoral process, including control of state resources on all levels. Such an agreement is needed for Montenegro’s interests, not only in terms of current political challenges. This agreement will be a new proof of democratic maturity, readiness and ability of our society when it comes to creating wider consensus on important political matters.
WEDN: You have spent a long time cooperating with Krivokapić. How would you describe this cooperation?
SIMOVIĆ: Yes, a cooperation between DPS and SDP has been going on for a long time. This is why I do not want to speak of it in light of the most recent impressions and activities of SDP and its leader, because my assessment would be negative. No matter the position of SDP on our joint activities during last 18 years, in DPS we aim to show respect and value to everything that has been done. Our results were best assessed publicly by Krivokapić himself. He was very positive about it immediately after the last parliamentary elections. He now wishes to present this in a different light: “It is not easy to be the first, it is not easy to lead, and this coalition is lead by Milo Đukanović, who will enable Montenegro’s progress to be constant and secure”. .. “Milo is better every year. I am positive that he is better now than he was in 2002″… We also remember this statement of his: “Milo Đukanović represents a tall tree in the historical forest of Montenegro”. It would be interesting to hear the reasons that had motivated him to leave the shade of this tall tree.
WEDN: A part of opposition sees the redaction of daily schedule points as a maneuver that aims to establish dominance of DPS in the Parliament, by having a president from DPS. Is there truth to these claims?
SIMOVIĆ: Absolutely no. This was not done in order to take over the function of Parliament’s president. This is not a wish, goal, interest or need of DPS, nor any individual in DPS. We do not wish to take over another part of the leadership, because our goal is not our function but the functionality of the system.
WEDN: What is the ultimate goal?
SIMOVIĆ: The goal is for the situation in the Parliament to come in accordance with democratic practice and standards of parliamentary democracy. It is for the function of president of the Parliament to be held by an individual with support of parliamentary majority that voted confidence to the Government, and that supports the concept of economic development, EU integration and further improvement of rule of law in Montenegro. Majority that contributes to political stability, economic development as a condition for creating much needed employment opportunities, financial stability…
