Pejović and Ćinćur: Postponing the election of Vučinić as a judge of the Constitutional Court represents a serious blow to the rule of law

The failure to adopt the agenda and the postponement of the election of lawyer Mirjana Vučinić as a judge of the Constitutional Court represents a serious blow to the rule of law and Montenegro's European path, announced independent MPs Jevrosima Pejović and Radinka Ćinćur.

The MPs pointed out that the vote, in which 38 MPs abstained, clearly demonstrates the absence of political responsibility and a lack of commitment to professionalism in the judiciary.

"The public has the right to know what the real reasons are for the blockade of the election of the remaining judges of the Constitutional Court, especially when all candidates have passed previous interviews, some more than once. What are the criteria that judges should possess, and which individual MPs consider relevant?" Pejović and Ćinćur stated in a joint statement.

They added that it is inappropriate to challenge a candidate's career and professional competence due to party or personal interests.

"Mirjana Vučinić is a proven professional with extensive experience in the judiciary, international SIGMA/OECD and UNDP projects, as well as in the field of fighting corruption and building integrity in institutions. Her work has been recognized by the international expert community and does not deserve to be humiliated by unfounded political attacks," the statement reads.

According to them, it is obvious that the current government does not want professionals in key positions, but rather favors those who do not possess professional references.

"Is it true that a candidate who has not passed the bar exam is wanted as a judge of the Constitutional Court? This is something that was previously disputed, and now the same standard is being ignored, which is a clear example of nepotism and protectionism. Montenegro must not slip into a practice that diminishes the rule of law and the integrity of the judicial system. Therefore, we demand that the election for a judge of the Constitutional Court be carried out as soon as possible, in accordance with professional and legal standards, without any political pressure or blackmail," Pejović and Ćinćur concluded in a statement.

Members of the Parliament of Montenegro today did not adopt the agenda, the only item of which was the proposal by President Jakov Milatović to elect lawyer Mirjana Vučinić as a judge of the Constitutional Court.

59 MPs voted - 21 voted in favor, 38 abstained. There were no votes against.