Protests
After a fierce reaction to the announcement of changes to the Law on Citizenship and Residence, protests and blockades continue almost daily. Yesterday, people gathered all over Montenegro and walked the streets and organised convoys. Various organizations and groups of people appearing as protest organizers are announcing the continuation of this practice. There were a couple of skirmishes and provocations, and one car from the convoy was littered with feces in Bijelo Polje. Due to the gathering in Bogetići, 2 people were prosecuted, while several of them got misdemeanor sentences. The Prime Minister again wrote and threatened the “people”, and accused personally Mr Veselin Veljović, the former police director and the current adviser to the President, of the protests. Mr Veljović wrote a letter to him on these accusations. Pro-government supporters gathered in Nikšić where they chanted threateningly to those protesting against the Government.
One after another, Montenegrin diaspora organizations are raising their voices against the announced possible abolition of the right to vote, which would refer to those citizens who have a residence outside the country. Here is one of the reactions of the association of Montenegrin citizens from Switzerland.
Amendments to prosecutorial laws agreed
Although Mr Leposavić shook the Government quite a bit, the parliamentary majority leaders gathered last night and made an agreement on the prosecutorial laws. PM Krivokapić said that the initiative was his, Mr Knežević stated that it was Mr Abazović‘s, while Mr Abazović pointed out that he believed that the laws were now harmonized with what was proposed by the Venice Commission. Let’s hope that this doesn’t see the same fate as Mr Abazović‘s assessments of personnel decisions in the security sector and with the first set of laws. The adoption of these laws could “unlock” the work of the ruling coalition, in order to continue with “getting good positions and Serbization”. Whatever they like.
Greetings in Plav and Gusinje
The residents of Plav and Gusinje greeted Mr Abazović as Ali-pasha of Gusinje greeted the Montenegrin army in 1879. Not exactly like that, but with a similar emotion. In both Plav and Gusinje, the Dputy Prime Minister was insulted and belittled. He was called a traitor and a chetnik. He met with these cities’ leaders and discussed development issues, but also denied that the citizenship of the diaspora, which is quite numerous from these 2 cities, would be revoked. Mr Abazović answered questions that no one asked him. We know you can’t take away their citizenship, but you will take away their voting rights. That is your intention.
Batistuta
The weekend was also marked by correspondence between Messrs Milan Knežević and Sergej Sekulović. Mr Knežević jokingly compared the minister to Mr Gabriel Batistuta because of the minister’s specific styling, although the things Mr Knežević accused him of are quite serious. Due to the attack on the soldier and the situation in the security sector and many other things, which he stated in his address, Mr Knežević requested a control hearing of the minister.
Russian influence
The foreign minister spoke to the Russian propaganda media Russia Today, where he said he loved Russia and gave the children Russian names. He criticized the former government for “anti-Russian rhetoric”. He justified himself a little because of the sanctions, because “you know, we have to, that’s what they ordered”. I paraphrase not quote. Ms Andrea Feldman, a history teacher at the Faculty of Teacher Education at the University of Zagreb, said that Russia was behind the destabilization of Montenegro.
Herceg Novi elections
SDP withdrew from elections in Herceg Novi due to the “epidemiological situation”. Everyone still thinks it’s a fear of failure. URA will run for office, but it hid well behind the Moze Bokeški list and plays on the Bokelian local patriotism. It’ll be wearing the national costumes, as Democrats once did while at the zenith of populism. If they really cared about Boka, they would have a prominent leader or MP from Boka. Yet, since they have no politics, they are counting on populism.
Miscellaneous
Basara wrote an excellent column and referred to Montenegro.
PM Krivokapić left the National Security Council to Mr Abazović. Many are wondering if this is legal at all.
Mr Boris Raonić criticized the work of the Government. I would only blame him for calling the Government an expert, because they themselves in the Government no longer consider it as such.
That’s it for today. We wish you a pleasant rest of the day.
