One of the leaders of the Democratic Front, Andrija Mandić, said that they had planned to invite all Orthodox believers to go out into the streets and block all the roads until Bishop Joanikije of Budimlja-Nikšići and the priests were released, but that they gave up after the invitation of the Metropolitan of Montenegro coastal Amfilohi and the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
"At the session of the parliamentary club, we changed the previously adopted decision to call on all Orthodox Christians to blockade Montenegro and stop all movement and traffic until Joanikije and the priests are freed. refrain from any party and political abuses of the church. In order not to want to abuse something, which many tried to attribute to us, we want to be members of the church to whom no one can transfer that we want to profit," said Mandic.
He said that he regrets that, together with all DF MPs, he has to listen to Amfilohi.
"Because I know that Montenegro would be blocked tonight and that this dictatorial rule would be over once and for all," said Mandić.
Joaniki and the priests were detained for up to 72 hours after yesterday's procession in Nikšić.
DF deputy Milutin Đukanović said that the deputies of that political alliance are ready to defend the church with their lives if necessary.
"The DF is a responsible political entity. We announced that we were ready to invite the citizens to block Montenegro. But after the invitation of the Metropolitan and the Episcopal Council, we do not even want to do anything that the church does not want. We are ready to do much more for our church than some can think. We are ready to defend our church with our lives if necessary," Đukanović said.
Previously, independent MP Aleksandar Damjanović, on behalf of the Club of Independent MPs, requested that the debate on the Draft Law on Business Companies be postponed until tomorrow because there are few MPs in the hall, and there is no proposer - a representative of the Ministry of Economy.
"At the moment there are no conditions for a discussion, the situation is very tense, related to what we had at the Collegium where we all assumed some obligation. It is pointless to talk about the law on business companies, and Montenegro is about to burst into flames. We need to do everything from the parliament to calm the passions," Damjanović said.
MP Goran Danilović (United Montenegro) said that in order to calm the situation caused by the executive power, he expects Bishop Joanikije and his priests to be released as a matter of urgency because the citizens owe them a debt of gratitude.
"We should thank bishop Joaniki, because if he had been different, Montenegro would have been different today.
We should be proud that Saint Vasilije has passed us by like this. The bishop has been detained for us, it should serve for our honor. They will detain us more, they will detain us every day, that is their business. One thing we need to do, the house is not left empty, listen carefully to what the metropolitan and the priests say," said Danilović.
MP Andrija Popović (LP) called for calming tensions.
"The competent state authorities must do their job, the Parliament must not interfere. Serious crimes have been committed here - calling for rebellion and the like. I ask that the state authorities react, Montenegro cannot be set on fire, we all have some responsibility , we must not allow anyone to cross a border," said Popović.
Miodrag Lekić (Demos) proposed to Brajović to schedule an extraordinary session of the parliament on the situation in the "land of endemic corruption" where the recommendations that would be sent to the Government, the prosecutor's office on other state bodies would be adopted.
Miloš Nikolić (DPS) welcomed the invitation of Metropolitan Amfilohi and the new decision of the DF, which, according to him, is a constructive contribution to solving this situation.
He repeated that yesterday in Nikšić there was not only a formal and real violation of NKT measures, but the health condition of the citizens of Nikšić, but also of the whole of Montenegro, was seriously called into question.
Brajović called on the deputies to be responsible because citizens listen to the discussions in the parliament and many of them are influenced by the words of the deputies.
"We know that this is an election year and that this is a form of political campaigning, but it is up to us to take care. The state has behaved responsibly in this COVID 19 epidemic, I don't expect everyone to see it the same way, but to appreciate what is for appreciation, while disputing what is debatable," said Brajović and added that one cannot speak about the seriousness of those who do not come to parliament.
The Assembly will resume work tomorrow at 11 am.
Bonus video:
