Šehović: The European Union will not participate in simulating dialogue with the Government, Spajić's call is hypocritical

The President of the Social Democrats and one of the leaders of the European Alliance, Damir Šehović, announced today that the European Alliance will not participate in the "simulation of dialogue" with the Government, assessing the invitation of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić as an attempt to create the illusion of political normality in anticipation of the arrival of Marta Kos in Montenegro, while, as he stated, the country is facing the weakest economic results in the last ten years and the increasingly pronounced political influence of Andrija Mandić.

The European Union announced that Šehović made this statement during a guest appearance on Television E.

"It would not occur to us to participate in such a dialogue. The Prime Minister's invitation is hypocritical and timed to coincide with Marta Kos's visit, in order to create the impression of a functional political system," said Šehović.

He added that "there will be no more simulating dialogue," and that Spajić should resolve key political issues within the parliamentary majority, which "is otherwise getting thinner."

"Vijesti" reported earlier today that Spajić held a meeting in the Government with representatives of the parliamentary majority, on the topic of the pace of adoption of laws from the European agenda.

The meeting was held ahead of the visit of European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos.

The leader and MP of the Civic Movement (GP) URA, Dritan Abazović, said at today's parliamentary session that the opposition will not participate in the meeting with Spajić.

Spajić's cabinet officially announced that at the meeting between Spajić and the leader of the parliamentary majority, it was stated that the Government and the parliamentary majority are fully committed to fulfilling all obligations from the European agenda, and that key laws need to be adopted by the end of July, in order to close all negotiation chapters between Montenegro and the European Union this year.

The statement states that Spajić's talks with opposition representatives are planned for tomorrow.

The head of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) parliamentary group in the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Nikolić, announced earlier today that Spajić is creating the illusion of normal political conditions in Montenegro in anticipation of Kos' arrival.

Šehović: This government has no economic policy, but instead offers excuses instead of solutions

Speaking about the economy, Šehović said that economic growth of 2,7 percent in 2025 represents the lowest level in the last decade, excluding the pandemic year, and is almost twice as low as the government's own projections.

"This clearly shows that this government has no economic policy, but instead offers excuses instead of solutions," he said.

The statement says that he additionally pointed out that the coverage of imports by exports is at its lowest level in the last ten years, noting that the fourth quarter of 2025 is the worst in history when it comes to the goods deficit.

He also said that Montenegro had twice the inflation rate compared to other eurozone countries, that tourism revenues in 2024 recorded a decline for the first time since the restoration of independence, and that the country has the worst credit rating in the region.

"We are functioning in a state of flux, without a clear economic direction," said Šehović, adding that the reduction in excise duties came only after strong pressure from the opposition and the professional public, and warned that the effects of rising energy prices will only be felt further.

Mandić's influence is continuously expanding and he is also formally becoming the essential leader of the parliamentary majority.

Commenting on political relations in government, Šehović said that the influence of the President of the Parliament of Montenegro and leader of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD), Andrija Mandić, is continuously expanding and that he is also formally becoming the essential leader of the parliamentary majority.

"In the next elections, citizens will choose between the policies of Andrija Mandić and a European, civic Montenegro symbolized by the European Union and the rest of the opposition," said Šehović.

When it comes to European integration, Šehović pointed out that messages from Brussels clearly indicate the need to strengthen institutions, reduce polarization and resist external influences, while assessing that completely opposite processes are currently taking place in Montenegro.

Referring to electoral reform, he stressed that the Electoral Reform Committee is the only place for dialogue, and that the opposition will not return until the controversial legal solutions are withdrawn, noting that the European Union supports open lists in principle, but that the preconditions for their implementation have yet to be created, which is impossible without a functional Committee.

Finally, Šehović said that the European Union has the ambition to grow into a broader social movement that will bring together a civil and decent Montenegro and "restore normality in society", stating that talks with various social and political actors are ongoing and that the public will be informed of their outcome in the coming weeks.