Đurašević: It is time for a law that regulates the work of the Government and ensures that it is led by those who have the capacity

For more than a decade, the Center for Civic Education (CGO) has been pointing out the necessity of adopting the Law on Government, which all ruling structures, regardless of their many differences, are trying to avoid. Montenegro remains the only country in the region that does not have a legally regulated composition, mandate, way of working and decision-making of the Government, as well as specific issues of its functioning, such as the one in the technical mandate, said Nikola Đurašević, an associate of the CGE programs.

He said that this gives wide scope for party bargaining, which, Đurašević points out, continuously undermines the necessary professionalization and rationalization of the administration.

"Almost three years ago, a working group was formed to draft this legal text. Efficient work was expected, but the text is only in the phase of harmonization in the Secretariat for Legislation, with announcements from the relevant Ministry of Public Administration that it will then be sent to the European Commission for its opinion. CGO reminds that one version of that text received the opinion of the Venice Commission (VK), but it is not known whether the recommendations of the VK were adopted by the Government received during the public hearing in 2022, adopted," the announcement reads.

Đurašević said that the CGO also emphasizes the need for the Law on Government to prescribe the obligation of medical examinations and abilities, as well as tests for psychoactive substances for members of the Government, including the Prime Minister, Ministers and Secretary General, as well as cabinet members who are appointed persons.

He added that this initiative, "which we have been advocating for years, also has the strong support of the public".

"The findings of the CG pulse, a joint research project of the CGO and the Damar Institute, showed that the obligation of medical examinations of the highest public officials in the executive and legislative authorities, which also includes a special test of mental-psychological ability to perform these functions, as well as later regular unannounced testing for psychoactive substances is supported by 65,4% of citizens are from the fall of 16,6, and we believe that today the support for this initiative is much greater because it has really demonstrated many times its justification," the announcement states.

Đurašević said that the necessity of such checks stems from the need to ensure responsible management of public affairs and prevent abuse of power by the highest public officials due to their lack of resistance or lack of capacity, as well as to strengthen citizens' trust in institutions.

"CGO is of the opinion that the adoption of the Law on the Government, as well as the equally necessary Law on the Assembly, is not only a technical issue, but an expression of the willingness of political subjects to commit to transparency, responsibility and limitation of political arbitrariness. In the existing vacuum of such a legislative framework, Black Gora continues to function in a space that is widely abused by those who should demonstrate the highest level of responsibility, thereby endangering the democratic consolidation of society to the Assembly, in order to create an adequate balance of power and responsibility according to the public interest," Đurašević concluded.