An electoral system with open lists of voters would bring more democracy, and parties would lose the importance they currently have, assessed the Minister for Human and Minority Rights in Montenegro, Mehmed Zenka, stating that honest intentions are the most important when reforming the electoral legislation.
She is a female, in interview for PR Center, said that he believes that the members of the Montenegrin Parliament were elected in accordance with Articles 45 and 83 of the Constitution of Montenegro.
"The Constitutional Court concluded that everything is in accordance with the law and the Constitution, and I comply with that. If the Constitutional Court gave such an assessment, then we stand by it," said Zenka.
He said that the electoral system with open lists has many positives.
"That system gives voters more room to choose the person they want to represent them. That would perhaps contradict the wishes of the party that forms the list. In the region, we have that system where the party is rounded up, and at the same time with the party, candidates, who are more responsive to the voters. I don't see anything wrong with that," explained Zenka.
However, as he said, he still does not see the possibility of introducing open lists into the electoral system in Montenegro.
"It takes some time to sensitize public opinion regarding this election law. It is not easy, but I think that this system would bring more democracy to the voters," believes Zenka.
According to him, with open electoral lists, the party would lose the importance it currently has.
"The party has great autonomy during the formation of the list. That is the moment when the party plays a crucial role. And after the selection, the independence of that councilor or deputy comes into force. It often happens that they break away, to form an independent club of councilors, an independent club of deputies. We see those examples. They were elected from the list of one party, and then they appear as members of another party. There is no fairness," explained Zenka.
It happens, as he said, that MPs or councilors who break away from their parent parties, i.e. lists, "absolutely experience debacle" in the next elections.
"They usually experience heavy defeats in the next elections, and in rare cases they go forward," explained Zenka.
He said that in Montenegro it is questionable how ready the parties are for open electoral lists.
"However, for the parties, it would be a big turn and a different system for selecting candidates. As for the voters, I see absolutely no problem. It would certainly suit them," said Zenka.
In the election system with open lists, as he believes, the candidates from the list would prepare more for the elections.
"They would try harder. They would work harder to get votes," said Zenka.
Open electoral lists, as he believes, when it comes to gender equality, could bring positivity, but also shortcomings.
"It can happen that, for example, in the elections, 70 percent of women pass, but it can happen that we have one or two percent of women. That would be very bad for our image, because we are a society that promotes equal opportunities and values for both sexes and strives for gender equality. So, we can put everything in danger, if we do not create an additional mode, which would provide a satisfactory number of women", explained Zenka.
Montenegro, as he said, can create its own electoral law and not follow anyone.
"Montenegro is small, we know what would suit us better, and if there is political will, it would be easy to reach an agreement. Simply, we don't have a middle, we have a left and a right side. We have turmoil, which does not allow us to find intermediate solutions, satisfactory for both sides," Zenka pointed out.
He said that in Montenegro there are those who have been MPs for 20 years.
"Has anyone ever wondered if there is anyone else, or if these people are the best. Do they always have to represent us? Young forces are losing the will to engage in politics. They simply see that these are usurped places. We have those parties that will retire when their president retires. No alternative is being created for young people, and that is why they are running away," said Zenka.
He believes that "the long-term usurpation of seats in political parties is hypocritical towards the youth".
"It's a phenomenon in Montenegro. And because of that, we shouldn't be surprised why there is huge dissatisfaction among young people. It's important that one party works in depth and gives more space to young people," Zenka said.
He believes that any law is good if there are sincere intentions to implement it properly.
"Even the best law, if it is implemented in a crazy manner, becomes the worst. Even from the worst law, if there is a strong will, something good can come out. There are no absolutely good solutions. There are optimal solutions for a certain period," explained Zenka.
He recalled that the Committee for the Reform of Electoral and Other Legislation had been formed and that the ruling coalition, as he said, had opened space for negotiations.
"I see the readiness of my coalition partners for changes. The first working group has already been formed. What will come of it, time will tell. If there are sincere intentions on both sides, it is easy to reach an intermediate solution, which will be long-term Zenka said.
He believes that a middle solution can be reached if there is will and good intentions.
"If you are benevolent towards what we have created, we will certainly find good solutions. We will not find ideal solutions, because they do not exist, but we will certainly find good ones for this country and the people. If we are not benevolent towards the country, there is no chance that someone will offer a good solution "He will sit at that table just for the sake of order," said Zenka.
As he said, the Albanian minority is "absolutely" dissatisfied with the existing electoral law.
"They have been badly missed, here are two election cycles. Because out of four MPs, reaching one, with the same number of votes, means that someone needs to get a good idea of the position and the opposition. As far as the position is concerned, they are ready for changes. Now let's see how much the opposition is ready to create conditions for some future cooperation with minorities", said Zenka.
According to him, there are many positive examples in the world and Montenegro, as he believes, can take a little bit from everyone and create an electoral system that others would emulate.
"When it comes to some laws, other countries call Montenegro for help. They ask Montenegro for an opinion, especially in the part of opening negotiation chapters. Acknowledgments are coming from all sides, but there are shortcomings and more work needs to be done," concluded Zenka.
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