Popović: It seems that serious people are left out of the process; Đurović: It is clear that there is a lack of judges

The Committee on Political System, Judiciary and Administration of the Parliament of Montenegro did not hold a consultative hearing of one of the four candidates for members of the Judicial Council from among the distinguished lawyers, as he withdrew from the position. The opposition sees this as confirmation of political influence on the judiciary, while the Judicial Council and the Supreme Court say that the situation is improving, but that there are still problems with the shortage of judges and working conditions.

In parallel, political disagreements continue over constitutional changes that are crucial for closing Chapter 23 in negotiations with the European Union (EU).

Only four candidates applied for the same number of members of the Judicial Council from among the ranks of respected lawyers, and then one of them, Šabo Luboder, who was supposed to be heard before the Committee on Political System, Judiciary and Administration today, withdrew due to, as he explained, family reasons. This was the reason for the opposition to assess that there is evident distrust in the judicial system and fear of political influence, which is why fewer and fewer professionals are choosing to hold judicial positions.

"Overall, this atmosphere that has been created means that serious people are left out of these processes. And that is bad, devastating and worrying," said Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Sonja Popović.

The report on the work of the Judicial Council and the overall state of the Montenegrin judiciary in the past year emphasizes the increased efficiency and responsiveness of the courts. The number of judges is highlighted, of which Montenegro has 294, while it is short by 41.

"In the period from August 2022 to today, and that is to say the Council in this convocation, the Council has elected a total of 182 judges. There are those who were elected for the first time, and those who were elected to the High Court, from the lower to the Higher. You have to agree on a good phase in the vetting," said Radoje Korac, President of the Judicial Council.

The Report on the State of the Judiciary in the Parliamentary Majority has received both praise and criticism.

"It is clear that there is a shortage of judges, and as long as there is a shortage of judges, we must consider it as one of the serious problems," said Dejan Đurović, a member of parliament from the New Serbian Democracy (NSD).

"We will support this report. In principle, we support the system. We see how much it is trying to reform itself from within... And I think that when we close chapters 23 and 24, it will be a strong message to the whole of Europe," said Europe Now (PES) MP Vasilije Čarapić.

In order to close these key chapters, amendments to the Constitution in the judiciary section of the parliament are necessary, which requires a qualified majority. The opposition says that there is none, and that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić deceived Brussels by saying that the government and the opposition are close to an agreement on this.

"So we are not close to an agreement. The moment you fulfill the opposition's conditions, which are very clear, very public and will not be abandoned, then we can reach an agreement," said Nikola Zirojević, a member of the European Parliament.

"If we, as MPs of this convocation, were satisfied with how the courts and the prosecutor's office worked in the previous period, we would not have requests for some Inquiry Committees every now and then," said MP Zoran Mikić of the Civic Movement URA.

"Do you recognize political influence when it comes to the work of judges?" asked DPS MP Zoja Bojanić Lalović.

The President of the Supreme Court, Valentina Pavličić, reminded that the report on the state of the judiciary is being considered at a time when, in the European Commission's Non-Paper, Montenegro received a positive assessment for the judicial branch of government for the first time and praise for concrete results in the previous year.

"We must fight together to ensure that the rule of law must be equal for everyone, no matter who finds themselves under the impact of that Law. You will have allies in us... It is up to us, the courts and judges, to do everything possible for Montenegro to close Chapters 23 and 24," said Pavličić.

After the debate on the work of the Judicial Council and the situation in the judiciary has been completed, the deputies will express their views on this matter at a later date.