If they put their promises into action, the deputies could discuss next year at another parliamentary working body - the committee for monitoring foreign interference in democratic processes.
The Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) recently submitted the initiative for the education of a working body in the Parliament, which would, among other things, deal with the monitoring of possible foreign interference in all democratic processes in Montenegro and the control of the Government's effects in this field, for the third time. .
From that NGO, they sent the initiative to the Parliament for the first time in March 2021, and renewed it in June 2022, when, despite the unequivocally expressed political support, the most significant formal step towards its finalization was not made.
Executive Director of CDT Dragan Koprivica he told "Vijesti" that they are encouraged by the information they received at the meetings and the publicly expressed positions of the parliamentary clubs, from which it follows that there is already a three-fifths majority for the adoption of the proposal.
Tropetin's majority in the Assembly is made up of 49 deputies.
"We hope that some other clubs will join the publicly stated position of PES, DPS, URA, BS and SD. We will continue communication with parliamentary clubs with the aim that the support for this initiative reaches a minimum of two-thirds of deputies", said Koprivica.
He reminded that support, although not this significant, existed in the Assembly before.
"Unfortunately, it remained at the verbal level until now and our proposal did not find its way into the procedure. This time we want to jump over that key obstacle, so we expect clear promises and concrete action from the MPs in this direction as well," Koprivica pointed out.
He said that they have information that the proposal was discussed at one of the Collegium of the President of the Assembly and that a formal statement was announced.
"We expect the MPs to translate their publicly stated position into reality and, with the necessary preparations, to enter the new year with a new committee," said Koprivica.
He said that they hope that the awareness that responsible politics implies solving problems, not ignoring them and putting them under the carpet, has matured among the MPs.
The Democrats, Social Democrats, Club of the Albanian Forum, Club of Deputies of the Democratic Union of Albanians and the Croatian Civic Initiative, Special Club of Deputies spoke highly of CDT's initiative, while the Movement did not answer the questions of "Vijesti" about what they think about the initiative and whether they will support it. Europe Now (PES), Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Bosniak Party (BS), Socialist People's Party (SNP), Democratic People's Party (DNP), GP URA...
Democrats are "for", but they remind us of the obligation to harmonize positions
President of the Democrats parliamentary club Boris Bogdanovic he said that in that party they believe that CDT's initiative for the formation of a committee to monitor foreign interference in democratic processes is meaningful and justified.
"We understand the importance of transparency and accountability in democratic processes, especially in the context of interference in election processes and campaigns outside our country. Therefore, we support this initiative and believe that it is a step in the right direction towards strengthening democratic norms and practices", said Bogdanović.
He said that, although they have already clearly expressed their support for the initiative, as constituents of the parliamentary majority, they have the obligation, according to the concluded Agreement, to coordinate actions with other parties within the majority.
"This means that before signing the initiative, we will harmonize our position with the positions of the other parties in power. This is a standard practice that ensures a unique approach and coherence in our parliamentary activities", said Bogdanović.
He pointed out that the goal is to reach a consensus that will enable the initiative not only to be supported, but also effectively implemented in accordance with common interests and the principles of democracy.
SD expects support to prevent "malign influences"
The opposition Social Democrats (SD) also announce their acceptance of the CDT initiative.
"We are witnessing the fact that the democratic and political processes taking place in Montenegro have been followed for some time by the influence of certain foreign factors, dominantly through political and media influence", a statement from SD.
They emphasize that the party's position on this issue is clear, and that they consider it desirable to form a special parliamentary working body that would deal with issues that have so far been discussed predominantly through social media, and which include monitoring the interference of foreign factors in democratic processes, as well as controlling the work of the Government on this field.
The SD announced that the formation of the committee would represent a clear decision of the Assembly to institutionalize the discussion on important issues related to foreign interference in the democratic processes in the country, in order to prevent various malignant influences from outside, which aim to destabilize and undermine the constitutional and legal order.
"Therefore, we expect that this initiative will receive the support of all political entities represented in the Parliament of Montenegro, and that it will be on the agenda in the form of a proposed act, and then be adopted," the SD announced.
Nova: We don't know the details, we opened this story
Member of the New Serbian Democracy Jovan Vučurović he told "Vijesti" that they do not yet know the details and intentions of this initiative, which is one of many that appear in the assembly.
"However, what I do know is that we were the first to open this story. That's why our position has been clear for a long time - Montenegro should be decided in Montenegro," Vučurović said.
President of the club of representatives of the Albanian Forum Nikola Camaj he said that he thought it was a good idea.
"I believe that it is the duty of all of us in the Assembly to monitor and not allow foreign interference in democratic processes, whether we have a special committee or not. In any case, I am of the opinion that the CDT initiative should be supported," Camaj pointed out.
President of the DUA-HGI deputies' club Adrian Vuksanovic he said that he views the initiative positively.
"We will be among the signatories. There are many obvious reasons for the formation of this type of committee," said Vuksanovic.
President of the special club of deputies Jevrosima Pejović she said that the initiative of the CDT is evaluated as positive. She pointed out that they see the essence of the initiative as a step towards positive European practices and standards, which should be the goal of all members of the Parliament.
"All practices that have shown a positive impact on the legal and social order should be nurtured because, in this way, we will prevent institutional strength from becoming meaningless. Standards in democracy have no alternative, and democracy without standards makes no sense. That's why we believe that we should all support good solutions together and work to improve our political life", Pejović assessed.
In the Special Club of Deputies, besides her, Radinka Ćinćur i Vladimir Dobričanin.
An effective response to systematic undermining
Dragan Koprivica said that they want the Assembly, through the work of the committee, to better control the Government in this field as well.
"We want the board to determine possible areas that would require legislative and other measures that can lead to an effective response to the systemic undermining of democratic processes, without jeopardizing the most important democratic postulates of freedom of speech, political activity, and protection of the right to free media activity." pointed out Koprivica.
He said that they want the initiative, if there is political will, to enter the parliamentary procedure in such a way that the representatives of parliamentary clubs and the government and the opposition sign the formal proposal, which can be agreed upon at the meeting of the Collegium of the President of the Assembly.
"This would not only show the determination to solve this problem, but also demonstrate a new political culture and initiate the strengthening of the constitutional position of the Assembly," said Koprivica.
Koprivica: There is no more time for excuses
Dragan Koprivica explained that the proposal implies that the story about foreign influences from academic analyses, writings by professional or other media about the problem, the work of NGOs dealing with this topic, and exaggeration on social networks, should be opened where it should be - in democratic discussions in Assembly of Montenegro.
"There is no more time for excuses, no more bypassing the important needs of this society and its international obligations, no more waiting for the EU to bring us the promised paradise - we must start working and that EU membership, although it will not come quickly, we welcome it as ready as possible and on this field. We have to start building what the EU brings to member countries ourselves and on time," he pointed out.
We hope that some other clubs will join the publicly stated position of PES, DPS, URA, BS and SD. We will continue communication with parliamentary clubs with the aim that support for this initiative reaches a minimum of two-thirds of deputies, Koprivica pointed out.
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