The Europe Now Movement (PES) and the Coalition for the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) are intensively negotiating the formation of a government, and so far they are the closest to reaching an agreement according to which ZBCG could receive four portfolios in the executive branch, the vice-presidential position in the Assembly, and eventually the position of the vice-president of the future cabinet - learned unofficially from Vijesti.
It has not yet been agreed which ministries ZBCG could get, but that coalition, according to the information of Vijesta, requires the departments of energy, transport, education and tourism.
Although that alliance in the previous negotiations with PES insisted on the position of the head of the parliament, now there are allegedly greater chances that they will give it up and accept the position of vice president of the legislative chamber. According to one Vijesti source, the position of the deputy prime minister could also be found in the arrangement they are negotiating.
The news could not officially confirm this knowledge, because PES and ZBCG did not answer at what stage their negotiations are and whether they are close to an agreement on a package that would include the mentioned positions.
The ZBCG has said on several occasions that, according to the election results, the position of the president of the parliament should belong to them. They announced that they are ready to make concessions in negotiations with the PES leader and the mandate holder Milojko Spajić, but that it is unacceptable for them that "the third (in the elections) be the second", that is, that the Democrats get the leading position in the Assembly. The Democrats finished the negotiations with Spajić and "reserved" the position of head of the parliament.
Although until mid-July the public gave more chances to form a government without ZBCG, the dissatisfaction of the Bosniak Party (BS) with the offered positions in the executive branch opened up the option of potential cooperation with the coalition they lead Milan Knezevic i Andrija Mandic. If it happens, it is questionable how the international allies of Montenegro, primarily the USA, will view it, as they say that ZBCG is not their partner.
When it comes to BS, for now it is not known whether that party will be in the government. A Vijesti source close to the top of PES said that BS neither accepted nor rejected the offer sent to them. As Vijesti previously wrote, Spajić is with the party Ervin Ibrahimović offered the position of vice-president of the government for European and foreign policy, the ministry of transport and infrastructure, and the departments of education, agriculture and diaspora, but she refused, considering that, according to the election results, she deserved more.
BS did not answer to Vijesti whether they are still negotiating with Spajić, what their demands are, and whether they would join the government if ZBCG is in it.
Spajić the day before yesterday from his party colleague and head of state Jakov Milatović received a mandate to form the government. The deadline for completing that work is three months.
Yesterday, the European Commission announced to the News that they expect a pro-European executive to be formed.
"The EU has been informed that the leader of the PES, Spajić, has been appointed as a mandate holder, and is looking forward to the formation of a new strong and pro-European government, capable and committed to implementing reforms related to the EU in the shortest possible time frame," the EC spokesperson told Vijestima. peter stano.
He stated that the EC encourages all political actors in Montenegro to quickly direct their efforts towards reaching an agreement on the priority measures necessary for the progress of the country on its way to the EU, especially in the area of the rule of law, in order to fulfill the temporary benchmarks under Chapter 23 and 24, especially through appointments in the judiciary.
"The EU appreciates the commitment of Montenegro on the path to EU membership, which is the wish of the vast majority of Montenegrin citizens, and is ready to increase its support," Stano emphasized.
MP from the PES list Seid Hadzic, said yesterday that the new executive power can be constituted from September 1. He assessed that it would be responsible towards the citizens.
Hadžić told Portal RTCG that the epilogue of the talks between Spajić and representatives of the parties so far is a high degree of agreement on the formation of the government.
In addition to ZBCG and BS, Spajić also spoke to representatives of the Democrats, the coalition of the Socialist People's Party (SNP) and Demos, as well as officials of the Albanian Forum, the Albanian Alliance and the Croatian Civic Initiative (HGI).
All those political actors have in principle accepted the proposal of the principles of PES on the formation of the government, which advocates the creation of a cabinet proportional to the election result, the implementation of the economic program Europe Now 2.0, equal chances during the election to positions...
Perović: Hardly a stable government
Monitor journalist Milena Perović assessed yesterday that Spajić does not have an easy task ahead of him when it comes to forming a government.
"On the one hand, we have those who insist that it be a government with a European profile, and although no one disputes the path to Europe, that formulation is read as a message that they do not want those whom the West does not see as partners. It is about the ZBCG coalition, which declaratively does not slow down the process of EU integration", said Perović in Boja jutra TV Vijesti.
On the other hand, as she clarified, there are those who are disputing some parties of less numerous nations because of their coalition with the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) of Milo Đukanović.
"This is the first division that will make it difficult for Spajić to reconcile the two halves. Of course, it is visible under that, and we have seen that it is one of the most controversial issues, the division of departments. We have already seen ZBCG's displeasure on that issue," adds Perović.
She says that she believes that the election results and what are the legal and constitutional frameworks should be respected, but that it is always controversial "when the matter comes down to a question of department and interest".
"Because the question arises as to whether there is a public interest... For now, Spajić has the undisputed support of the Democrats, a total of about thirty mandates, which is not enough, and we strive for some greater support that ensures reforms in the judiciary. So it is difficult to imagine at this moment that a stable government will be formed", says Perović.
Abazović: I'm not retiring
The leader of the Civil Movement (GP) URA and Prime Minister Dritan Abazović said yesterday that he will not retire from politics even if he is not in the new government.
Spajić did not negotiate the new government only with DPS and GP URA.
Abazović told journalists at the ceremony marking the beginning of the reconstruction of the Tivat - Jaz main road that he entered politics in order to contribute to Montenegro changing for the better and becoming a member of the EU.
"I want to continue to make that contribution from any position. So one part of the work in that context has been successfully completed, and one part still stands before all of us as a society. In this sense, I want to continue to make my modest contribution, which, as you can see for yourself, still gives a lot of effect", said Abazović, adding that he would like the new government to be elected as soon as possible.
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