The Mayor of the Royal Capital of Cetinje, Nikola Đurašković, called on the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, to hand over the leadership of the Parliament session scheduled for March 12 in Cetinje to one of the vice presidents.
In his response to Đurašković, Mandić said that freedom of movement is guaranteed by the Constitution of Montenegro.
The Parliament of Montenegro delivered Đurašković's letter and Mandić's response to the media.
"I am addressing you regarding the fact that the session of the Parliament of Montenegro, which you chair, is scheduled for March 12 of this year in the building of the Royal Capital of Cetinje, and that it is planned to be held in accordance with the practice of holding the first regular sessions of the spring and autumn sessions," Đurašković pointed out in his letter to Mandić.
He added that the Assembly of the Royal Capital unanimously adopted "Conclusions on the positions and statements of the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, regarding the Royal Capital and its citizens" on November 7, 2024, with a clear disagreement over the way Mandić treats the city and residents of Cetinje.
"You have publicly, on several occasions, grossly violated the dignity, reputation and honor of the Royal Capital and its citizens, and for this an apology has been requested, which you have not found it appropriate to issue so far. Based on these facts, as well as the desire not to jeopardize the functioning and regular work of the Parliament of Montenegro in any way, but also not to jeopardize the peace and tranquility of the citizens of Cetinje, I invite you to leave the conduct of the session of the Parliament that day to one of the five vice-presidents who, according to the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, have the right to do so instead of you," said Đurašković.
He also stated in the letter that the President of the Assembly had enough time to change, as he said, the harmful and derogatory narrative about Cetinje and its citizens if he wanted to.
"Since it is obvious that there is no desire to change him, then it is clear that this solution is the only possible one at this moment," said Đurašković.
In his response to Đurašković, Mandić stated that he thanked him for the letter in which he reminded him of the circumstances regarding the conclusions reached at the session of the Assembly of the Capital of Cetinje.
"I am glad that you are aware of the risks of the consequences of the content of the conclusions reached at the aforementioned session and that you kindly informed me so that these consequences could be avoided in a timely manner. The risk arising from these conclusions primarily stems from the fact that, when they were adopted, it was completely neglected that Montenegro is a free country and a single territory, and that the impossibility of restricting the freedom of movement and the duty to perform work duties of any citizen of our country, contrary to the Constitution and the law, was absolutely ignored. This is a topic that the prosecutor's office should address and determine who can give themselves the right to restrict the freedom of movement of any citizen of Montenegro. This right is guaranteed by our Constitution," Mandić stated.
He added that, in accordance with the above, he would like to inform Đurašković that he will inform his fellow vice presidents of these views, so that they can take into consideration the circumstance he informed him about in the already begun planning of the First Session of the First Regular (Spring) Session in 2025 in Cetinje.
"I will do everything within my competence to find the most appropriate solution, respecting the Constitution and the laws of Montenegro, which would prevent all negative and security threats and consequences of the conclusions reached in the Assembly of the Capital, which, as far as I understand, you wanted to announce through your letter. I cannot fail to take this opportunity to remind you that the laws of this country are above all of us and that I remain committed to them to the end, just as with this letter I wish to once again note my deep affection and respect for the citizens and the overall symbolism of the capital city in the history of our state and people," said Mandić.
He also stated that Cetinje has gone through and is going through severe suffering and pain due to the tragedies and murders that have befallen it in the last few years, in which both the victims and perpetrators were its residents and citizens.
"The pain and tears of Cetinje have wounded the whole of Montenegro. Appreciating the difficult situation for which local political structures are partly responsible, I will find a solution for holding the session that will avoid the regular (spring) session starting in our capital. Cetinje today, like the whole of Montenegro, needs peace, stability, understanding and respect for the law, and we are all obliged to contribute to that," Mandić told Đurašković.
Bonus video:
