Montenegro is facing a potentially watershed moment in its history, as the government tries to take control of state assets in a way that threatens to threaten the power of the people and their elected representatives. This issue is not only a question of economic policy, but also a question of sovereignty and democracy.
The government proposes that it itself decides on state property worth up to 300 million euros, while previously that limit was 150 million euros. Increasing this limit drastically reduces the control that parliamentarians have over the disposal of national wealth, thereby centralizing power in the hands of the executive. Such a move causes concern among citizens who rightly ask: whose is Montenegro?
Amendments that threaten the national wealth?
In addition, the Government of Montenegro plans to adopt two amendments to the Law on State Property, which have already caused fierce controversy.
The First Amendment would enable investors to buy Montenegrin land. The amendment states that the lease period is up to 90 years. Up to 90 years? Does this mean that investors could buy the property as soon as they sign the lease? This amendment could lead to the permanent alienation of our country's most valuable resources, turning a long-term lease into a de facto privatization of state property. According to the submitter of this amendment, the argument for adopting the same is to further encourage economic development. I believe that economic development cannot be encouraged by selling property. Why should we sell resources, which will be worth significantly more in the future? We need to appreciate our country, to choose investors carefully, to be aware that we live in a unique area and not to allow investors a free hand.
Second Amendment would deny the prosecution direct access to information on the sale of state property, which represents a serious blow to transparency and the rule of law. Our country has a rich history of corrupt contracts on the sale of state property. Abolishing the prosecution's access to this information only further increases the risk of corruption and abuse of these contracts.
The adoption of the proposed amendments would create a risk of further alienation of the national wealth. These moves should not pass without a broad public debate. It is time for the principles of transparency, responsibility and sovereignty. Our future depends on the decisions we make today.
I believe that all citizens, parliamentarians, institutions and NGOs should get involved in order to pass the best laws that would protect state property. We must not allow decisions to be guided by short-term interests, but should be guided by the long-term good of all of us. Montenegro is ours, and we must fight for its sovereignty and prosperity.
Our country is rich in history and resources that we must preserve for future generations. The adoption of these amendments and the law itself could irreversibly change the fate of Montenegro, placing its most valuable resources in the hands of those whose interests do not coincide with our national interests. Let's fight for Montenegro, which our ancestors built and defended, and let's ensure that it remains in the hands of those to whom it truly belongs - the people of Montenegro.
The author is an economist
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