Picula: It would be optimal to hold extraordinary parliamentary elections after the presidential elections

Since gaining independence in 2006, the upcoming presidential elections are one of the most important, European Parliament rapporteur for Montenegro Tonino Picula told Nova. He believes that it would be most fair to the citizens if extraordinary parliamentary elections were held after the presidential elections.
Commenting on the increasingly frequent stories about the reconstruction of the existing government, Picula believes that the parliamentary majority has lost the possibility for this.
The elections that await us in seven days will undoubtedly show the fundamental political commitment of the citizens, the rapporteur of the European Parliament for Montenegro is of the opinion.
In the last 17 years, he believes that these elections are one of the most important.
"This will certainly be one of the most important elections held in Montenegro since the independence referendum. The events of the past two and a half years since the last parliamentary elections, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have unfortunately sharpened the traditional divisions in Montenegrin society. And since the Montenegrin Constitution foresees an important role for the institution of the president of the state, these elections will undoubtedly show the current mood of the electorate, that is, its basic political orientation. So these are very important elections," Picula points out for Nova.
According to Picula, the political crisis in Montenegro did not affect the attitude of the citizens when it comes to the path to the European Union.
"But another question is how and to what extent such a mood will be reflected in the results of the elections. I think the profile of the candidate for the post of president covers the entire political spectrum well. So it's up to the voters to decide whose program they want to support," Picula said.
He believes that the political crisis is not abating, and the tension, he says, is reflected above all through the relations in the existing parliament.
This composition, says Picula, cannot give or maintain support for a stable and functional government for a long time.
"There is no doubt that the situation that existed after the last parliamentary elections in 2020 is significantly different compared to this current situation. Circumstances have changed significantly, from internal to regional to global, so I think it would be optimal to hold extraordinary parliamentary elections soon after these regular presidential elections. I think that would be the most correct for the citizens as well," Picula pointed out.
Although the existing government has lost confidence in recent days, there is more and more talk about its reconstruction. According to Picula, this composition of the parliamentary majority has lost the possibility for that.
"The assembly confirms the government, i.e. the mandate of the executive power, and the technical government should only be a temporary solution because the government has lost the confidence of the assembly like the one before it. And that's why I think that this composition of the assembly in this regard has exhausted its possibilities to confirm a new, more stable government capable of solving structural problems," Picula told Nova.
"Montenegro's partnership with other NATO members and European Union member states is based on well-known values and standards. Everything that could possibly call into question the cooperation defined in this way can cause consequences", concluded Picula.
M. J.