Šaranović on Milatović's decision to return the Law on Internal Affairs: Blockade of any essential reform

Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović called President Jakov Milatović a "blocker" of any substantive reform in the security sector.

Šaranović reacted to Milatović's decision to return the Law on Amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs, which was adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro on March 6, for reconsideration.

"By reinstating the Law on Internal Affairs, the President of Montenegro did not do anything new, but rather confirmed once again what the public has long recognized. He has become a known blocker of any substantive reform in the security sector. We saw the same pattern in the summer of 2024, when he reinstated the amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs, basing his reasoning on claims that time has completely denied. However, what speaks particularly about his attitude towards the public is the fact that he never apologized to the citizens of Montenegro for the deceptions he made at the time," said Šaranović.

He added that when it was time to stand up for reforms, Milatović "stood up for obstruction."

"When it was time to stand by the state, he stood by those who have been accustomed to the state serving them for years. We remind the public that the members of the parliamentary majority showed in the first vote what is most important for Montenegro today. That they cannot be influenced by power centers, interest structures, or any criminal interests that interfere with reforms, checks, professionalization, and cleaning up the system. They will show this resilience in the next vote, because this majority is not building a security sector tailored to privileged individuals, but to the needs of the state and all its citizens," said Šaranović.

In a statement submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it is stated that Šaranović said that "it is particularly hypocritical for someone who has protected Milo Đukanović's cadres and generals in the defense system for years to talk about reforms."

"Who prevented the necessary changes and who, through their actions and inactions, caused serious damage to the interests of Montenegro? Those who preserved the old structures have no moral right to stop those who are today trying to strengthen the system and return it to the state. Montenegro no longer has time to return to the old way," said Šaranović.

Leković: Milatović criticizes the European Commission for giving the green light for the adoption of the law

Minister Šaranović's party colleague, Democratic Party MP Momčilo Leković, called Milatović a "delegitimized president of the state", and also a "known blocker in any attempt at reform in the security and defense sector that is not to the liking of the former regime".

"It's amazing, Jakov Milatović criticizes the European Commission for giving the green light to the adoption of the law. Although that's not surprising, because surely in his alienation from reality he believes that he should replace Ms. Von der Leyen at the head of the EC. Let's remember how he protected General Milo Đukanović as the first man in the Army. Let's remember how he returned, in the summer of 2024, the amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs, which the Parliament then voted on again. He never apologized to the public, because even then time showed all the senselessness of the reasons for that obstruction," said Leković.

He said of Milatović that he is "a faithful blocker in attempts at all reforms, an opponent of vetting, rehabilitation, personnel and any other strengthening of the security and defense sector."

Leković claims that Milatović is "the guardian of the compromised personnel of the former system", and that he will "once again only have the role of a short-term slow-down of reforms".

"The members of the Parliament of Montenegro confirmed in the first vote that they cannot be influenced by criminal or any other interest, but exclusively by the interest of the state of Montenegro, strengthening institutions, a decisive fight against crime and the successful completion of the European path, and it is completely clear that they will do the same in the second vote," said Leković.