You are reading a daily contextual review of the news that marked the previous day.
By Ljubomir Filipović, CdM observer
First serious warnings from Brussels
After the new majority started to deal with the judicial system on its own initiative, announcing the legal solution that would abolish the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, SDT, the German ambassador first warned of the importance of coordination with the EU, expressing confidence that the government would never do anything on its own. Following the reaction from the EC, but also from the EU Delegation in Podgorica, it was clear that our heroes were too playful.
The main message of the EU is that there’s a clear roadmap regarding chapters 23 and 24, and that any violation and overpassing of the 2013 constitutional amendments, which were a condition for opening these negotiating chapters, would be a step backwards in establishing the rule of law, and consequently in the negotiation process.
The Democrats MP, the entertainer from the town of Berane and director, Mr Nebojša Babović, reacted on a tweet of Ambassador Popa, who criticized the latest announcement of the new government, calling the EU administration “bureaucrats”.
Mr Miloš Nikolić, the DPS spokesperson, also commented on the entire situation.
It’s interesting to see that the pro-Government media and a large part of the NGO stay silent on the warnings of the European partners.
Another kiss-and-let-go show
In another attack of malignant narcissism, the Deputy Prime Minister posted a picture of himself in a post announcing the arrest of former officials. It’s about the case that the prosecution has been dealing with for several years, and about which the public broadcaster RTCG recorded a documentary two years ago. Mr Boris Raonić reminded of this fact on Twitter.
Mr Zoran Vukčević, who used to be the head of the Investment and Development Fund, IRF, was apprehended and interrogated, as well as the former minister of agriculture, current advisor to the president of Montenegro and the DPS MP, Mr Petar Ivanović. Mr Budimir Mugoša, the SDP MP, was also apprehended. We still don’t know whether the indictment will be issued, but the prosecutor didn’t define detention for any of them. Mr Budimir Mugoša reacted and noted that he was cooperating with the prosecution, accusing some of the media for spinning.
It’s interesting that the fascist troll Facebook pages announced on social media the arrest two nights ago. As we know that these are internet supporters close to the new government, we wonder if they have become the official channel of communication of Mr Dritan Abazović.
Beside Mr Abazović, who struck a pose next to the trophy, Democrats also rushed to take credits for this arrest.
Arrests and investigations are normal things, we had them before. In my city, over 50 people had been arrested until 2015. Most of them were the DPS members. The problem is that URA uses this to make a cult of Dritan Abazović, creating the sense of insecurity and fear by threatening the half of Montenegro from social networks.
Who are members of the ToMontenegro management?
Vijesti published yesterday the information on the head and members of the Board of Directors of ToMontenegro, but it turned out to be incorrect. One of the interesting candidates for a member of the Board of Directors of the newly formed company was the lawyer Mr Miloš Stevanović, a close associate of the Dodik family. After our announcement yesterday, his name did not appear in the final composition of the Board of Directors. As it wasn’t clear to me why they decided to kick him out even though Vijesti even published his biography, I asked the minister on Twitter to explain why they excluded him and another female candidate from the list. I haven’t received the answer to date.
URA’s attack on Democrats in Herceg Novi
URA is behaving as the opposition in towns where their partners had turned their back on them – in Budva and Herceg Novi – as it will be the case now, in Nikšić. It happened in Budva, now is happening in Herceg Novi where they now accuse the administration of Mayor Stevan Katić to have been publishing vacancies in defiance with laws. The Municipality of Herceg Novi responded to URA’s accusations. In this town, URA has been in the coalition with the SDP, and both represent part of power. The Municipality of Herceg Novi reminded of this fact in their statement.
That’s all for today and this week. Until Monday.
Enjoy your weekend and follow the coronavirus rules. Take care.
