We don't want to act for political points: How MPs who rarely speak in parliament defend it

Six MPs, including some who do not perform their duties professionally, have spoken for a total of only three hours, 41 minutes and 13 seconds at Parliament sessions over the past three years, which some of them justify by saying that they do not want to participate in discussions that they consider political marketing, while analysts claim that this best speaks to the lack of seriousness of the current political class in Montenegro.

The analysis by the Center for Civic Education (CCE), which dealt with the activities of members of parliament of the current convocation in the plenum from July 27, 2023 to March 31, 2026, showed that among the members of parliament with the lowest participation in plenary debates are two members of parliament from the ruling Europe Now Movement (PES) and one representative each from the Democratic People's Party (DNP), the Albanian Forum (AF), the United Montenegro (UCG) and the Civic Movement (GP) URA.

It stands out. Gordan Stojović (PES), who spoke for only 15 minutes and 14 seconds in almost three years. Followed by Milena Vuković from GP URA, with just over 16 minutes and 20 seconds - with the note that she took over the parliamentary mandate less than a year ago and is on sick leave, then Vladimir Bakrač (PES) with 34 minutes and 26 seconds, Jelena Kljajević (DNP) with 47 minutes and 50 seconds, Artan Chobi (AF) with 50 minutes and 45 seconds and Vladimir Dobričanin (UCG) with 56 minutes and 38 seconds of speech.

Tadić Mijović: Decor for MPs

Director of the Center for Investigative Reporting of Montenegro (CIN-CG) Milka Tadic Mijović, she told "Vijesti" that this data best speaks to the frivolity of the political class, about people who sit in parliament as decor, and not as representatives of the citizens who elected them.

"...If they don't participate, if they don't discuss, if that's not their primary job - why are they sitting in those benches? It would be fair for them to leave the parliament," said Tadić Mijović.

Program Associate at CCE Nikola Đurašević, announced that although the length of the address is not the only measure of the quality of parliamentary work, the data presented represent an important indicator of the visibility and activity of MPs in one of the key functions of the Parliament - public debate.

He pointed out that the plenum is the place where laws are discussed, questions are asked to the executive branch, political positions are articulated, and parliamentary control of the Government is exercised.

"Therefore, minimal or almost symbolic participation in debates raises the issue of the relationship to the parliamentary mandate and public accountability, especially considering that citizens do not elect or pay MPs to be silent observers of political processes," Đurašević stated.

Dobričanin: I'm not a clown

Vladimir Dobricanin (UCG) told "Vijesti" that he does not receive a salary in the Parliament, but rather an parliamentary allowance. Based on the right to a difference in earnings, he received 351 euros last month.

"My salary comes from my job and my profession, which is surgery at the Clinical Center of Montenegro," said Dobricanin.

Emphasizing that the Assembly is not just a plenary hall, but also something much more important - committees, Dobricanin stated that he is very active in the parent Committee for Health, Labor and Social Welfare.

He claims to be a serious MP, that he comes from the real sector, so he does not speak in the plenum on topics that many other MPs should be discussing and about which they have much more knowledge.

"If I were to comment on all topics related to the legal system and the economy, it would seem ridiculous, and I am someone who is not here to entertain others, but to focus on topics that are important to our citizens," Dobricanin added.

He pointed out that he had never traveled anywhere, nor spent a single cent at the expense of the Assembly, or rather the citizens.

Dobricanin said that his role, at least three times between 2020 and today, "was crucial."

"Once they wanted to appoint the dismissed Prime Minister to the same position again, when the current Government was formed and key laws were adopted at the end of 2025 and during 2026, including key opposition to the adoption of the Health Care Law during the Government's term." Dritan Abazović"As a serious man and doctor, I would never allow myself to play the role of a clown in a plenary session trying to get a few more political votes by promoting nothing by responding to everything and anything," Dobricanin underlined.

Chobi: No marketing

Artan Čobi from AF told the editorial staff that his presentations at Assembly sessions are always and exclusively related to topics of interest to those who elected him.

"I do not enter into discussions and debates that are aimed solely at political marketing and show," Čobi emphasized.

His April parliamentary salary was 2.337 euros.

PES MPs Gordan Stojović and Vladimir Bakrač did not respond to "Vijesti"'s questions about how they explain the fact that they have had a small number of addresses in parliament during their three years.

Stojović received 1.831 euros in April, while Bakrač, who is entitled to the difference in earnings, received 195 euros last month.

DNP MP Jelena Kljajević, who received 1.745 euros last month, also did not answer questions.

Đurašević stated that the CCE analysis emphasizes the need for the parliamentary activity of MPs and parliamentary caucuses to be systematically monitored and regularly publicly announced, so that citizens have a clearer insight into how their elected representatives use the mandate entrusted to them.

"The transparency of this data can contribute to greater accountability of MPs, strengthening trust in institutions, and a better understanding of the real contribution of each parliamentary group and individual to the work of the Parliament," said Đurašević.

Nikolić most active

CCE's analysis showed that in the past three years, the most active MP was by far the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Andrija Nikolić, who spoke in the plenum for almost 30 hours, 24 minutes and five seconds.

Next is European Union MP Boris Mugoša, with 24 hours, 20 minutes and 24 seconds, while the top five most active include three other DPS MPs - Mihailo Anđušić with 18 hours, four minutes and three seconds, Aleksandra Vuković Kuč with 16 hours, 25 minutes and 30 seconds, and Aleksandra Despotović with 15 hours, 35 minutes and 26 seconds.

Also at the top are Milan Knežević from DNP with 14 hours, 39 minutes and 24 seconds, and Vasilije Čarapić from PES, with 14 hours, 31 minutes and 43 seconds.