The Law on Real Estate Tax, which the President of the state returned to the Parliament for reconsideration, was passed with full knowledge that it is contrary to the Constitution of Montenegro and the principles of legal certainty and economic equality, the Office of the President of Montenegro announced.
The President's Office said that the parliamentary majority, the Prime Minister, and the Government knew that this Law was unconstitutional and that it was destroying the unified tax system.
"They knew that it implied retroactivity prohibited by the Constitution. They knew that it enabled the selective application of rights. And despite that, they adopted it. At the moment when the President of the State decided to return the Law to the Parliament, it was clear that the Law violated the Constitution, but it was not known that it was written to protect the personal interests of a politician. This motive became visible only after the threats to the President of the State followed, which exposed everything that had been hidden until then," the statement states.
According to them, that's why it's no longer just about the law.
"This is about the way in which political pressure is being exerted on institutions today, through threats, spin and attempts at discrediting. The President of Montenegro, as the directly elected guardian of the Constitution, had an obligation to react. This was not a political move, it was a constitutional duty. And precisely because he did not agree to protect the interests of one man, but chose to protect the Constitution and the state of Montenegro, he became a target," the statement reads.
As the President's Office said, threats were made, the media reported them, and none of those responsible reacted. Instead of an institutional reaction, a political campaign was launched in which the threats were put into perspective.
"This is not a party issue. This is not a conflict with any community. This is a matter of freedom and legal security for every person in Montenegro. If it is permissible to threaten the President of the state because he did not agree to declare an unconstitutional law written for one person, tomorrow anyone who refuses to obey can be threatened. Imagine what it would look like if these 22 thousand farmers whose constitutionally guaranteed equality is threatened due to higher taxes set off on foot along the roads of Montenegro to ask the Deputy Prime Minister why their existence is threatened? That is probably why the Law on the Prohibition of Public Gatherings was proposed. To protect politicians who do not work in the public interest from the free citizens of Montenegro," the statement emphasizes.
The Cabinet of the President of Montenegro specifically emphasizes that "in a democratic and legal state, it is unthinkable that institutions remain silent in the face of threats that have been publicly made to the highest state official as a reaction to his constitutional actions."
"We demand that all competent authorities act immediately, in accordance with their obligation, not according to politics, but according to the law and the Constitution. Just as the President of the state reacted by rejecting the unconstitutional Law written for one politician, because no one will threaten those state authorities after that. And finally, let us not forget what is a necessary and urgent decision of the Government of Montenegro: The dismissal of the Deputy Prime Minister," the statement from the Office of the President of Montenegro concludes.
DON'T MISS IT
Bonus video:
