By Ljubomir Filipovic, CdM observer
Good morning. You’re reading a daily contextual review of the news that marked the previous day.
Taking credit for someone else’s work
Here’s what officials and activists of the opposition parties think about yesterday’s bragging of the new government about the new border crossing with Albania and the opening of the Podgorica-Gusinje road. The project is very significant for the development of the municipalities of Plav and Gusinje, as it shortens traveling from this part of Montenegro to the capital and the coast. It started during the rule of the former government and all the pomp over its opening provoked actors who took part in planning and initial implementation of the project. Ex-prime minister, Dusko Markovic, and the SD MP, Damir Sehovic, strongly reacted.
This government’s event, like many others, was followed by funny and quite confusing scenes. First, a board with a wrong inscription in the Albanian language, then the photo showing Dritan Abazovic holding hands of the prime ministers of Albania and Montenegro during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Warning from the EU
The European Union (EU) is following the procedure for electing new members of the Prosecutorial Council, said the spokesperson of the European Commission (EC), Ana Pisonero Hernandez. Reactions from international addresses followed after URA’s and DF’s attempt to forcibly elect members of the council. “We’re following the process of electing new members of the Prosecutorial Council. We encourage all political actors to engage in a constructive dialogue and to ensure broad support for the appointment of independent, politically neutral and professional members of the Prosecutorial Council from among eminent lawyers and NGOs,” Pisonero stressed.
Punishment for ministers and their reactions
The Agency for Prevention of Corruption has determined that Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic and the majority of his ministers violated the Law on Prevention of Corruption as they failed to report all their property and incomes, Vijesti daily writes. “The Agency is to fine public officials Mladen Bojanic, Jelena Borovinic Bojovic, Olivera Injac, Jakov Milatovic, Djordje Radulovic, Tamara Srzentic, Ratko Mitrovic and Zdravko Krivokapic a total of 500 euro,” ASK stated.
Reactions followed soon after. The NGO praised ASK, while the ministers reacted and tried to justify themselves. Mladen Bojanic ironically congratulated ASK, Jakov Milatovic said the amount was small and that he gifted his car to a niece, but will pay the fine. Minister Jelena Borovinic Bojovic misused state resources as the ministry gave a statement instead of herself, defending her for violating the law and foolishly noting that ASK “is going to punish her for the global crisis”. In Vucic’s style, indeed.
Warning
The Delta variant of Covid-19 is spreading throughout Montenegro and the rest of Europe, and we’re to face a surge in the number of new cases, said a doctor and researcher at the Paris-based Pasteur Institute, Marija Backovic. “An infected person, if fails to practice distancing and wear face covering, is going to infect six, and according to some estimations, up to 10 people,” she tweeted.
The Delta variant, she says, is sensitive to the same measures as the previous one. “What we do know for now is that face masks/distancing/ventilation work best, and above all, vaccines. I hope that children in Montenegro will be able to have a normal school year, and if not for yourself, take a Covid jab because of them. They’re our future,” says Backovic.
That’s all for today. Have a nice day. Don’t forget to join us on Viber.
