Today's session of the Parliament of Montenegro was marked by controversy over the celebration of May 21st - Montenegro's Independence Day.
The president of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) parliamentary group, Andrija Nikolić, protested the fact that the Parliament - one of the most important institutions in the country, will not organize a ceremonial session to mark 20 years since the restoration of Montenegrin independence.
This, he said, symbolizes an irresponsible attitude towards the state and citizens:
"It is particularly worrying that such an attitude towards the most important date in modern Montenegrin history is being demonstrated by the political majority, which includes political entities that in 2006 were predominantly against the idea of restoring Montenegrin independence."
Nikolić pointed out that ignoring such a significant anniversary sends a bad message to the citizens of Montenegro and international partners, among whom there are those who remind the President of the Parliament of the importance of this symbolic act, which implies congratulating the citizens of Montenegro on Independence Day.
He pointed out that the DPS parliamentary group believes that the least that was needed at this moment was to organize a ceremonial session at which respect would be shown to the citizens who voted for independence, but also to those who had a different view.
"Because of all of the above, we demand from the Parliament and its leadership to clearly address this omission," said Nikolić.
Assembly President Andrija Mandić responded that he convenes the session, so the responsibility lies with him.
He pointed out that he planned to schedule the ceremonial session on the day Montenegro became a member of the United Nations - June 28, because Montenegro was a state even before May 21, 2006.
Nikolić replied, saying that if it hadn't been for May 21st, it wouldn't have been for June 28th either.
"It is not a surprise to us that the Parliament does not want to officially mark that day," said Nikolić.
He said that Mandić did not have enough reason to organize a ceremonial session on one of the two biggest dates in the history of Montenegro.
"In addition to May 21st, it's July 13th," Nikolić said.
Knežević: Let Huter say I'm a BIA man, he'll get sued
The session was also marked by a controversy between Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Milan Knežević and Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Oskar Hutter.
Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Milan Knežević requested that a session be held for all those who voted for a joint state, 185 thousand of them.
"I want to greet all the voters of the Bloc for a Common State and tell them to hold their heads high, that nothing is lost, that nothing is forgotten, that no one is forgotten, and to prepare the tricolor flags from 2006 because we will need them soon...", said Knežević.
He said that less than 50 percent of citizens support an independent Montenegro, stating that support for the "so-called private state is declining day by day."
He pointed out that the budget also pays for the performance of the Cetinje band "Perper", whose frontman said that "all those who do not feel nationally as Montenegrins should leave Montenegro."
"I don't feel like a Montenegrin nationally and I invite the frontman of "Perper" to come and kick me out of Montenegro...", said Knežević.
DPS MP Oskar Huter reacted, stating that they heard another untruth from Milan Knežević today. He said that he read the correct statement of the "Perper" frontman, who said that "citizens who are unable to call themselves Montenegrins probably deserve to live somewhere else."
"That's a completely different context than the one you interpreted," Huter said.
Knežević then said at the session that he wanted to respond to "the Kavač clan MP, Hutter, the man who is in the Sky correspondences as receiving instructions on what to do to have the monuments erected."
"What you just said best refutes you, and confirms what I said," Knežević replied.
Huter, throwing the blame from his seat, called Knežević "Vučić's envoy and a BIA spy."
"You are an Austro-Hungarian spy and you have the least right to talk about Montenegro. Stand up and say that I am a BIA man, you will get sued and you will have to prove it in court," Knežević told Huter.
Huter told the Speaker of the Parliament that he should have reprimanded Knežević because he had made the most serious accusations.
"I didn't expect anything but this kind of nervousness, and you probably pushed him into this story. You brought him into this position, that now you have to fake a European path, you who trampled on the Constitution - both of you, you who were sitting when the Constitution was proclaimed, everything that was in the interest of Montenegro, you were there to nullify it," said Huter, adding that Knežević's nervousness was directed towards Mandić.
He said that he is a son of this country, and that Knežević should resolve the tension with Mandić in the cabinet, not through him.
Mugoša: Two obligations on the EU path to be completed
European Union representative Boris Mugoša proposed that two obligations on the EU path be completed today. The first, he said, is to vote for a member of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU), which was proposed by NGOs and confirmed by the Administrative Board two months ago.
"The mandate of certain members of the AMU is expiring soon," said Mugoša.
He also said that the Fiscal Council needs to be fully functional, stating that a candidate for the President of Montenegro was proposed, and the other was provided by the Parliamentary Committee.
Mandić suggested that they vote on this on Monday because there are not enough MPs.
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