Important topics can be discussed over the phone – this could be said for the government of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, which held over 50 percent of its sessions by phone.
In addition, there is almost no agenda that does not include an item marked "internal".
That is why the NGO sector criticizes the Government for its transparency, which in turn claims that they are working in accordance with legal procedures.
Milojko Spajić's government decided on key issues such as appointments in the security sector electronically.
At the same time, after sessions for which the Prime Minister and ministers still decide to hold the hall on Karađorđeva Street in Podgorica, there are usually no press conferences.
All of this is a reason for the civil sector to doubt the transparency of the Government's work.
"When I take all of this into account and add this large number of points that are classified internally, we come to the conclusion that this is truly one of the most non-transparent governments in the last few cycles," Nikola Mirković from the Center for Civic Education (CCE) pointed out to Television Vijesti.
According to CCE data, out of 146 sessions held by the end of January, more than half – 58 percent – were electronic sessions.
The Government does not see anything problematic in this. They say that all members are familiar with the materials being discussed and have the opportunity to comment on the items on the agenda.
Mirković believes that the format is still important.
"What is worrying is that during these telephone sessions, which are often held at night and on weekends, a large number of problematic, but also important decisions are made. Decisions in the areas of national security, education, finance, strategic projects. All of this is very problematic. Also, what is problematic is that during these telephone sessions we have a large number of personnel decisions," he said.
Milojko Spajić's government, apart from making some important decisions over the phone, has another habit, which the civil sector criticizes.
Namely, at 75 sessions held in the Government building, there were as many as 84 items on the agenda marked "internal".
There is no problem here either, says Spajić's office.
They claim that this is in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, and that this is secret information whose disclosure could have harmful consequences.
"In accordance with the Data Secrecy Act, items marked 'internal' are available to the public upon expiry of the legal deadline," the Government announced.
The NGO sector is still concerned about this information.
"First of all, it is not responsible for the government to hide such a large number of its activities. That automatically suggests that something is not right. It is understandable that under the level of secrecy - internally there is some information related to national security and the like, but it is not understandable that this designation is abused to hide some much more basic information," said Mirković.
He recalls that the Government rejected their initiative to open the sessions to the public, as was the practice in the previous legislature when the sessions were broadcast live.
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