Koprivica: The proposed amendments are a continuation of the disastrous decisions of the Assembly

The Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) called on the deputies to stop what they say is the "illegal, unconstitutional and anti-European behavior" that has been going on in Montenegro for months and to withdraw the amendments to the proposed amendments to the Law on Local Self-Government (LSU).

This was announced by CDT executive director Dragan Koprivica.

"The proposed changes represent a continuation of disastrous legal decisions made by the Parliament, which started with the unconstitutional postponement of elections. The political elites are actually creating a parallel unconstitutional electoral system," said Koprivica.

"At that time, we drew attention to the fact that a dangerous precedent is being created that any simple majority can postpone elections and edit election rules beyond the prescribed two-thirds majority," the CDT statement states.

Koprivica points out that even then, "it was clear that the parties wanted to introduce a pattern of political behavior that can be summed up in the simplest way - the Constitution is the hardest to step on the first time, each subsequent one is easier and simpler".

As he says, "amendments to the proposal for changes to the Law on LSU foresee a "way out" of the electoral crisis by regulating the electoral procedure in a way that is contrary to the Constitution of Montenegro and the Law on the Election of Councilors and Members of Parliament. It introduces a limitation of the right to an appeal procedure, termination of the mandate of the Assembly by force of law and interference of the Government in the election process, through the appointment of the Board of Commissioners while the election process is still ongoing".

He emphasizes that the proposed solutions give powers to the electoral lists determined by the results of the elections, which are not final, "even though the election procedure has not yet been completed and thus give the powers of managing the municipality to political actors whose entry into the local parliament can only be confirmed by the final results of the elections".

The CDT emphasizes that local elections within the existing limitations of the electoral procedure reflect the will of the citizens and believe that this will must be respected as a matter of urgency.

"This is especially important if we have in mind the multi-month illegal mandates of the current presidents of municipalities and the Capital City who have the ambition to rule forever. Obstructions or any other political mechanisms are not acceptable or allowed here," adds Koprivica.

He states that the power resulting from that will must be established in a legal way, and "the only legal way to do it is the election of judges of the Constitutional Court, the legal completion of the appeals process, as prescribed by the Law on the Election of Councilors and Members of Parliament".

Koprivica emphasizes that everyone who again obstructs the election of judges, obstructs and undermines the democracy of their own country, which leads to international isolation.

"Obviously, they are not helped by the very clear and precise warnings that we receive from the European Union every day," said Koprivica.

"We hope that the real goal of the political elites is not to suspend our negotiations and that they will find the strength to finally overcome their party interest and start dealing with the future of this country," the CDT statement concluded.