There are many criticisms about the functioning of the judiciary in Montenegro, where the political crisis has not been resolved since August 2022. Because the new members of the Constitutional Court in the country have still not been determined. In addition, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic did not initiate the second round of political consultations for the formation of the government, despite his constitutional obligation. In the light of these discussions, the law restricting the powers of the President was voted for the second time in the Montenegrin Parliament on 12 December 2022 and approved by the deputies. After the adoption of the bill restricting the powers of the President, thousands of demonstrators in the country began to protest under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS), led by President Milo Djukanovic.
In this context, Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) presents the views of Journalist Biljana Matijasevic to evaluate the political crisis in Montenegro.
- What is the situation in the political crisis that has been going on in Montenegro since the summer?
The political crisis in Montenegro has worsened. The retirement of the judge of the Constitutional Court, and therefore the lack of a working quorum, calls into question the results of the local elections held in several municipalities and the rule of law. The Assembly was unable to elect new judges of the Constitutional Court for the second time, although this issue was a priority.
- People hold protests in front of the Montenegrin Parliament, demanding the withdrawal of the law on early elections and presidential powers. Are early elections expected in the country?
No elections can be held without the Constitutional Court. The DPS, led by President Milo Djukanovic, called for an extraordinary general election. However, in the session on 12 December 2022, the deputies of this party did not vote for the election of the new members of the Constitutional Court. This is where it’s so weird. If there is no Constitutional Court to resolve complaints about the election process, how will the election be held?
DPS supporters staged several protests demanding early parliamentary elections and the withdrawal of the Presidential Law amendments that narrowed Djukanovic’s powers. These changes give Parliament the opportunity to appoint a new prime minister. Because Djukanovic refused to do so, even though, according to the Constitution, he was obliged to propose a prime minister with the support of the majority in the Parliament. Therefore, amendments to the Presidential Law are unconstitutional. But the President’s actions are also unconstitutional.
- Djukanovic claimed that Russia is waging a hybrid war against Montenegro. Could the political crisis in the country have a connection with Russia? Can the pro-Russian Democratic Front get support from Moscow?
The political crisis in Montenegro has nothing or little to do with Russia. An influence can be mentioned only in the part where Russia exerts influence on a single political alliance in Montenegro through Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church. However, the problem in Montenegro is that the DPS has been in power for 30 years and suffered a major defeat in the August 2020 local elections. Because DPS is not ready to give up power easily.
- What do the bomb threats in the country mean? There was a bomb threat near the Constitutional Court. What kind of measures have been taken for places that have become the target of threat, especially schools?
Police determined that all the bomb threats were fake. Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic accused the DPS of being linked to bomb threats to destabilize the country.
Biljana Matijasevic
She works as an editor at Vijesti Newspaper based in Podgorica. She has worked as an editor for institutions such as the Daily Press and Mina News Agency. Matijasevic is a graduate of Mediteran University.
