Rakočević resigned as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro

Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Nikola Rakočević said that he is resigning from the position of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro.

"By passing the law on internal affairs and the National Security Agency, the government crossed the red lines of the opposition, but also of Brussels. "Because of all of the above, we will not participate in the simulation of democracy and I am resigning as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament," said Rakočević.

He added that resigning from that position is only the first move against the "anti-European and undemocratic behavior of the authorities," and that the party will talk to citizens, but also to international addresses - in Berlin, Brussels, London.

"By the will of the authorities, the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform does not exist because at the end of last year they gave up on extending its mandate due to alleged political intrigues. What was the subject of discussions between the authorities and the opposition is no longer valid - they will not participate in the Committee for Electoral Reform, they have decided to experience democracy in such a way that there are no discussions with the opposition. Now the key to European integration is in their hands," he said.

When asked by journalists whether he would remain on the commission for the selection of the president and members of the Central Election Commission (CEC), he replied that it was in the best interest of the citizens to receive it, and that he would remain in the process until it was completed and thus resolve all issues regarding their participation in the Electoral Reform Committee.

"We reserve the right to propose some laws, because we promised citizens that we would fight for open lists, direct election of municipal presidents and two mayors, but also that we would try to offer solutions to try to clean up the voter list," he said.

When it comes to the position of the president of the Inquiry Committee dealing with the "black threes", Rakočević said that the "situation is normal" and that a session is scheduled for Friday.

"When he will resign is a question we will see in the next few days," he said.

"DPS MPs who hold key positions have resigned. Do you think we are resigning so that the inquiry committee meeting will not take place? This is such an insane, malicious and strange reaction by MPs," he said.

He said that they are having a session of the parliamentary group today where they will discuss this issue.

He announced that he would come to the parliament session today.

When asked whether yesterday's collegium was held, and whether they agreed on the dynamics of the work, Rakočević replied that "every conversation with them ends without an agreement."

"Yesterday we learned that the bill with the blue flag came to parliament, but not to opposition MPs... We did not receive the corresponding document that certain laws are with the blue flag. Just remember that the Minister of Internal Affairs said that if a law is not adopted, Chapter 24 will not be closed, and the European Commission said that this is not true. We will fight for Montenegro's European perspective, because that has been our platform for the past 20 years," he said.