Milatović still declared "blue" laws: "Returning them to MPs would have no effect"

After initially deciding to return the 25 adopted "blue" laws to the Parliament for reconsideration on Monday, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović changed his mind and promulgated them, explaining that returning them to MPs, with the expectation that they would read and seriously consider them, would have no effect.

"As long as the composition of the parliament is like this, laws will, unfortunately, be passed without reading and substantive debate. That is precisely why I declared the laws passed, because returning them to the MPs, with the expectation that they will read and seriously consider them, would have no effect," Milatović said in a press release.

"Vijesti" wrote yesterday that by deciding to return the laws to the Parliament, the President of Montenegro could slow down the closing of some negotiation chapters in March and April. Sources of the "Vijesti" editorial office from the Government said yesterday that all the laws that were adopted on Monday with the "blue flag" (important for closing the chapters in the negotiations with the EU), that they have the opinion of the European Commission, that a public debate was held on them and that European directives were included in them. The adoption of these laws represents the final benchmarks for the chapters that are planned for closing in March and April, said an interlocutor of "Vijesti".

In a press release, Milatović told citizens that they had the opportunity to once again see how laws that directly affect their daily lives are passed in the Parliament of Montenegro with their eyes closed, with a mere show of hands.

"I am certain that randomly elected citizens would perform the work of deputies more responsibly and conscientiously than the current convocation of the Assembly," Milatović added.

He emphasized that he wanted to show once again that Montenegro needs open lists, so that citizens can elect representatives who truly represent their interests, who read the laws and actively participate in discussions about the future of this country.

"In the end, it is precisely those who are campaigning against me, driven solely by personal animosity and the fight to stay in power, who have proven to be the biggest opponents of true democratic development and European integration of Montenegro. Everyone in Montenegro knows the truth: the EU path is hindered by the obstruction of the election of judges of the Constitutional Court. The EU path is hindered by the situation in the security and judicial sectors. The EU path is hindered by non-transparent agreements with the UAE, which suspend our laws, violate the Constitution and bypass European procedures. The EU path is hindered by a weak economy and party recruitment. The EU path is also hindered by the fact that we do not have laws on the Government and the Assembly, as well as the elections in Šavnik that have been going on for four years. The EU path is also hindered by the lack of progress in electoral reform, as well as persons connected to crime in high state positions. Everyone knows everything, but it seems that it is our fate that both former and current in power always choose the splendor of Dubai instead of European rules," Milatović concluded.