WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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Holding new elections in Montenegro would be the most reasonable step and an opportunity for a political restart and the return of the country to its constitutional foundations, British Ambassador Karen Maddox said.
In an interview with the MINA agency, she said that the decision on who should form the next government rests with the deputies, who are elected representatives of the people, or with the people directly, through elections.
More than six months ago, those MPs voted to change the government and the prime minister, but there is still no agreement on a new government - said Medoks.
She pointed out that any new government that would be formed now on the basis of a law of dubious constitutionality, in the specific case on the amended Law on the President, would probably not be stable.
This suggests to me that new elections would be the most reasonable step. It would be an opportunity for a political restart and an opportunity for this country to return firmly to its constitutional foundations - said Madox.
She added that the United Kingdom shares concerns about Russia's activities, not only in Montenegro, but also throughout the region.
As she reminded, the United Kingdom in Montenegro finances the monitoring of elections from non-governmental organizations, including the monitoring of election financing, which could shed light on financial resources coming from outside the borders.
Here we are witnessing anti-NATO narratives and disinformation across social networks. Although they are not specifically related to the elections, they play a role in how people look at current geopolitical challenges and distort the real picture - Maddox warned.
She stated that Montenegro is a NATO ally and that as such it should be clear in its Euro-Atlantic policy and values.
But weak institutions and a polarized political scene left it open to influence and interference. The citizens of Montenegro need stability. And Montenegro's international partners need it to be strong and resilient as a NATO ally and friend in the Western Balkans - said the ambassador.
She said that, speaking more generally about the campaign period, she should also comment on the incident in Cetinje this weekend.
I think that every decent person, regardless of their political position, can agree that basically violence is not an acceptable way of communicating political differences. That should be a non-controversial position. I'm surprised when it's being questioned - Maddox stated.
She assessed that reestablishing the functionality of the Constitutional Court was the most important priority in Montenegro.
But even objectively speaking, I don't think anyone would say that Montenegro has come out of the crisis. We have a transitional government, which is still led by a prime minister who lost confidence six months ago, and several important laws and political decisions have been made despite the fact that the government is in a technical mandate - Madox said.
She stated that, although the Constitutional Court is now theoretically operational again, it has a huge number of cases to consider. That, as Medoks said, is not ideal at a time when the most intense presidential elections that Montenegro has seen in years are underway.
According to her, the fact that the institutions are unable to ensure stability and a clear rule of law makes Montenegro more susceptible to the influence of hostile states such as Russia, as well as serious and organized crime.
During the process of appointing judges of the Constitutional Court, Montenegrin MPs sent a clear message that their appointment system is based on party politics, and that it is not a process that relies solely on merit. Regardless of whether the fourth judge will be appointed or not - that impression remains - Maddox concluded.
M. J.
