The introduction of open or semi-open lists, the limitation of mandates for MPs, the abolition of benefits upon termination of office, the suppression of corruption in health care and the public sector, are some of the recommendations that were adopted at the second Citizens' Assembly, which was held in the Montenegrin Parliament.
The first Citizens' Assembly was held on September 24 and 25, 2022, jointly organized by the Parliament of Montenegro and the European Parliament (EP), and the conclusions and recommendations were presented yesterday at a conference attended by members of the EP.
Citizens recommended that cases of misuse of vehicles be published, initiate the establishment of a Citizens' Committee at the Assembly, as a working body.
It is also recommended that additional work in healthcare be limited to a quarter of the working time, penalties be introduced for referrals to private outpatient clinics if the treatment can be performed in state hospitals, as well as to control private universities due to purchased diplomas...
It is also recommended to introduce a ban on gifts to doctors worth more than 20 euros, to ban pharmacies that sell drugs from the white list, as well as to introduce protection for whistleblowers and start mechanisms to educate citizens about corruption.
Representative of citizens Milica Radulović she also announced that through changes in the law, the percentage of budget allocation for the work of parliamentary parties and the election campaign should be reduced below 0,5 percent of the budget and mechanisms that will serve to control the flow of money from donations around the election should be strengthened.
"Limit the compensation for MPs' phone bills to a monthly amount of 10 or 15 euros, and the calculation coefficient by which the amount of salaries for public servants is calculated to remain at the same level while canceling all types of additional income and benefits," stated Radulović.
President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Đurović said at the opening of the conference that she welcomed initiatives aimed at achieving more direct contact between citizens and parliamentarians, stressing that today's event represents a kind of democratic exercise that enables citizens to participate in political life, even for a day.
"Democracy needs active and aware citizens, and our obligation as their representatives is to do everything to strengthen their confidence in the highest house of representatives", stated the President of the Assembly.
Member of the European Parliament (EP) Vladimir Bilchik he thanked the President of the Parliament of Montenegro for supporting this project, as well as the former President of the Parliament Aleksi Bečič, who started this.
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He said that he hopes that the next presidents of the parliament will continue this project in order to hear the views of the citizens.
"I hope that the Citizens' Assembly will become a model not only for the cooperation between the EP and the Parliament of Montenegro, but also for our greater involvement in the Balkans..." said Bilčik.
Member of the European Parliament Christian Sagarc pointed out that it is necessary to build citizens' trust in the institutions because the Assembly is here for the sake of the citizens.
"I believe there are two principles, the first is that dialogue is needed, as well as many other platforms of institutions, such as the local level, while the second principle is a culture of dialogue and building trust," he said.
MP of DPS Daliborka Pejović pointed out that it is worrying that almost 75 percent of respondents in Montenegro believe that the health system is subject to major corruption, but a small number of individuals are recorded.
"I want to support your efforts, your perceptions, but also to encourage you to make each individual, concrete case the subject of your applications. Let's all do our best to do as many good things as possible in prevention," said Pejović.
Epistle Tamara Vujović (Democrates-Demos) said that after the first Citizens' Assembly, the regression of democracy occurred, because the Constitution was violated in the Assembly, so the citizens could not even expect much.
She added that she does not agree with the part of the recommendations on term limits, because if someone is doing well, why should they not be elected.
She agreed with the recommendation to introduce open lists.
Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Branka Bosniak (PzP) reminded that Montenegro was under one regime for 30 years and wherever it was scratched "it was rotten" and now "the breath of freedom" was felt.
She, like Tamara Vujović, agrees with the recommendation that a civil hour should be introduced in the parliament.
Speaking about the problem of fake diplomas, she said that she is thinking about forming an Inquiry Committee to see who allowed so many fake diplomas to exist in the public administration.
She added that it is not only corruption that is eating away at Montenegro, but also ignorance.
"People who don't know are arrogant, they try to hide their ignorance that way, and those who know are mobbed," Bošnjak said.
Member of the SNP Bogdan Božović pointed out that the topic discussed in the Assembly of Citizens is very important and burning in Montenegro.
"Corruption in health care and the public sector is something that has burdened our country for many years and with which the new ruling majority is trying to fight in the best possible way. Time will tell if we are successful in that process. The political will to deal with this scourge undoubtedly exists," said Božović.
Prophet Srđan Pavićević (URA-CIVIS) said that in order to reduce corruption to a controlled framework, it must have prevention and good control and "treatment".
"Prevention is based on high transparency, where everything must be visible and clearly shown, as well as on strong and rigorous control, while the 'treatment' of corruption lies in rigorous, clear and public punishment," Pavićević said.
Prophet Boris Mugoša (SD) said that time has shown that more and more citizens identify with individuals.
"I always insist that party shackles should not be a barrier to conversation and dialogue. It is extremely healing for Montenegrin society to move towards the opening of election lists", said Mugoša.
He pointed out that mechanisms must be found to encourage direct, direct dialogue and that political parties must not remember citizens a month before the elections and forget them the morning after the elections.
"We politicians must not talk about political employment", said Mugoša.
"A made man is a corrupt man"
Srđan Pavićević reminded that in Montenegro there is a phenomenon of "made man", who separated from his own benefit in order to benefit another person.
"It's turned into its opposite - now he's made a man, a corrupt man," he explained. He said that he is not the type of person who will take someone over the line for an examination, for an operation... but that he, as he said, is corrupt.
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