The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has not yet decided what it will do if Prime Minister Dritan Abazović's government adopts the text of the basic contract with the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) on Friday, despite the opposition of that party.
The interlocutor of "Vijesti" from DPS said that in that party, on whose 29 votes in the parliament the survival of the Government dominantly depends, they do not yet have a final position on the next steps, which, as he clarified, will also depend on the other parties of the parliamentary majority that they are against the quick resolution of the fundamental contract issue.
"So far, there is an attitude that there is no need to hurry with the issue of the basic contract, which was also said by DPS president Milo Đukanović," said the source.
It is against this backdrop that yesterday's message from DPS deputy Andrije Nikolić, who said in parliament "that the responsible government would be expected to heed the warnings and suggestions it received from the interested public" and that "it would probably be rational to avoid such a scenario for Friday and the potential risks of introducing new political instability".
On June 28, the government published the working version of the document, which it agreed with the Serbian Orthodox Church in principle, and which it should decide on at the session on Friday.
Apart from the DPS, the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the opposition Social Democrats (SD), as well as part of the non-governmental sector, reacted violently to the content, claiming that the contract was directed against state interests.
Due to dissatisfaction with the document, there were protests in front of the Government on two occasions.
The ambassadors of the European Union (EU) states expressed their concern that the signing of the basic contract could cause political instability and lead to the "fall" of the Government.
As the list was confirmed by several sources, they conveyed it to Prime Minister Abazović during a two-hour meeting, which was held the day before yesterday in Podgorica.
Before the executive branch can discuss the basic contract, it must pass the Committee for the Political System, which is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Raško Konjević (SDP), on Thursday.
The Commission, according to the Rules of Procedure of the Government, decides by the majority of votes of the members present. If the document does not pass that body, it should not go before the ministers and the prime minister. However, as the Government explained to "Vijesti", the Prime Minister has the right to include the material on the agenda even though he did not receive the support of the Commission.
The Prime Minister previously criticized such moves by his predecessor Zdravko Krivokapić.
Abazović's cabinet confirmed to the newspaper that the Government will decide on the basic contract by a qualified majority, although this is not provided for in the Rules of Procedure, but is a coalition agreement of the parties of the new government.
They agreed that the Government should express its views on issues "of vital state and national interest", such as the basic agreement, the regional initiative "Open Balkans" and the population census, in this way.
The Head of State and DPS leader Đukanović reiterated yesterday that the Government should not hurry with the decision to sign the fundamental contract.
He told journalists after the opening of the "Business Talks Montenegro - Republic of San Marino" that the current version of the contract is not acceptable for DPS.
"I see this phase of the conversation as preparatory. We should also discuss the scope of inclusion of all interested parties in defining a not the most important, but current issue. I believe that the Government will consider these warnings in a responsible manner", he pointed out, adding that he expects the Government to make a decision that will be in the interest of Montenegro.
Asked whether the DPS can deny support to the Government, he replied that the executive power should have a clear priority - the renewal of the negotiation process. Any attempt to move Montenegro off that track is, according to him, a bad intention.
"My message is that there should be no rush to adopt decisions - any rush carries the risk of interpretation that something is being hidden from the public", he underlined, saying that he does not want to talk about what is the "red line" for the DPS.
SDP said yesterday that the government is only sustainable if it is focused on the EU and life issues.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and honorary president of that party, Ranko Krivokapić, said that the SDP will use the days until Friday to "return the Government to the European path", adding that, if this does not happen, extraordinary elections are the only answer.
He told journalists after the meeting with the captains and regents of San Marino that the minority government was formed with a clear task - to speed up EU integration and improve the lives of citizens.
"Such a government received broad international support. It suddenly happened that the Government's priority is no longer those two pillars, but other two pillars that are not the priority of the EU, but of some other country, namely the position of its church in Montenegro and the 'Open Balkans'... Deceived European partners twice with parts of the same Government, must not be allowed. The mandate must be returned to the citizens, and then the state elections are ready in October," emphasized Krivokapić.
Prime Minister Abazović has repeatedly said that the issue of the fundamental agreement should be put to an end, so that the country can turn to the future.
In addition to the Government, the text of the contract must pass through the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, after which an agreement should be reached regarding the date of signing.
Serbian Patriarch Porfirije announced last week, during the meeting with Abazović in Belgrade, that he would be one of the signatories, while the Prime Minister announced that the signing would take place in Montenegro.
Abazović's cabinet: The basic contract is not against the European agenda
Abazović's cabinet confirmed to "Vijesta" that the basic contract was also discussed at the meeting with the ambassadors of the EU countries.
"In a friendly and open conversation with the ambassadors of the EU countries, all aspects of the current political situation in Montenegro and the region were discussed. The signing of the fundamental contract was one of the topics, and on that occasion it was explained that this issue has burdened the Montenegrin society for the last ten years, stressing that it is high time for us as a society to get out of this line of division".
In addition, as they added, Abazović clarified that the signing of the fundamental agreement is not in contradiction with the European agenda, but that it is an internal issue that has been leading to the polarization of Montenegrin society for a decade, which, they claim, is evidenced by the European Commission's multi-year reports.
"Once closed, the issue of the fundamental agreement will speed up the European agenda, lead to a greater commitment of Montenegrin society to European integration and lead the country out of a decade-long polarization based on politically and artificially created problems. Any opposition to the proposed solution would mean keeping Montenegro in the gap, further divisions and a return to the past".
The Prime Minister's office reminds that the proposed text fully protects the state's interests.
"The uproar is made by those extremist groups who do not want us to move towards the EU, but strive to keep us in the jaws of nationalism. Unlike those who choose hatred and strife, the Government promotes reconciliation and economic progress".
There are no obstacles to signing a contract with CPC as well
The government unofficially told "Vijesti" that there are no obstacles to signing the basic agreement with the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (CPC), even though it is not recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
"CPC is registered with the Ministry of Justice like any religious community. There is nothing controversial about that - from the point of view of the state, they are a religious community", the newspaper was told.
Yesterday, Abazović called on the CPC to conclude a contract with the Government, after the CPC previously made such a request.
"Respecting the Constitution and laws of the state of Montenegro, respecting the right of all citizens to freedom of expression of religion, we want to emphasize that the Government's attitude towards all religious communities is identical, that we inherit equal treatment and conduct an inclusive policy towards all social categories, including religious communities. In this sense, I am looking forward to our meeting at the time agreed upon by the two cabinets", said the Government.
The head of the CPC, Mihailo, said in a statement to the media yesterday that he will not sign the basic contract "which does not guarantee service in Montenegrin shrines".
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