Satler: We are concerned about the Assembly's decision to end the mandate of the judge of the Constitutional Court, time for a compromise

The European Union is concerned about the Assembly's decision to end the mandate of the judge of the Constitutional Court, said the ambassador of the European Union in Podgorica, Johan Satler.

In an interview with Pobjeda, he said that he does not enter into legal interpretations of the issue, but that he is more interested in seeing the beginning of a constructive dialogue between political actors, which will return the political focus to the country's strategic path towards EU membership.

"There is a time when political leaders have to make compromises and sacrifice short-term benefits for the common good. I think the time has come for that in Montenegro. I believe in the wisdom of Montenegrin politicians not to allow their differences to escalate and divert the country from its path towards the EU, Sattler said.

He, as he stated, encourages the ruling majority to open a dialogue with political actors about the Assembly's decision regarding the retirement of the judge of the Constitutional Court.

"But I also encourage the opposition to consider the government's offer to discuss a joint public platform whose goal is to put national interests above party interests, and to provide cross-party support for all reforms and decisions necessary to complete EU accession negotiations."

He pointed out that ensuring the full functionality of the Constitutional Court through the timely selection of the remaining judges, based on merit, transparency and legal requirements, is a fundamental issue of the rule of law and a key condition for Montenegro's path to the EU.

"We also believe that the judges of the Constitutional Court recognize the seriousness of their responsibility. Through their decisions, they have a key role to support the principles of the rule of law, protecting the fundamental rights of the citizens of Montenegro and strengthening the constitutional order. This is not only an indispensable condition of the EU, but also of crucial importance importance for the protection of basic freedoms and rights of citizens. Without a functional and independent Constitutional Court, even free and fair elections, which are the foundation of every democracy, would be endangered act and approach the solution of this important issue of the rule of law, in the interest of the citizens of Montenegro and the country's European future".

Due to the events surrounding the Constitutional Court, the opposition announced a review of participation in the work of the Electoral Reform Committee, and when asked if the EU recommends dialogue to resolve open issues, Satjel replied:

"Just like the issue of the Constitutional Court, electoral reform is another key topic of the rule of law that requires broad cross-party support. We welcome the recent extension of the mandate of the Parliamentary Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform and encourage all political actors to prioritize the remaining work on electoral reform. If the government and the opposition reached a political agreement on holding all local elections in one day, which would be translated into national legislation, that would be very good news made it possible to focus on key reforms from the European agenda. I firmly believe that they can do it. We are ready to help with that".

Satler said that the boycott of institutions is certainly not in the interest of Montenegro, at a time when the country wants to progress in the process of integration into the EU.

"Instead, Montenegro needs all its strength to achieve an ambitious EU accession plan. This can only be achieved through broad political support for key reforms and decisions in the area of ​​the rule of law. There is no other way. One thing is certain: neither unilateral decisions, even a boycott of democratic institutions will not bring Montenegro closer to the European Union. I hope that all parties recognize their own responsibility towards the citizens to translate their words into actions in order to progress on Montenegro's European path. The significant progress achieved during the past year indicates which path we need to go further - through national unity, focus and discipline," he told Pobjeda.