Taking over the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court is a coup d'état

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
"The European Progress Party strongly condemns the unprecedented attack on the Constitution and legal order of Montenegro that took place today in the Parliament. The attempts of the parliamentary majority to independently reshape constitutional practice and take over the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court represent nothing less than a coup d'état, with potentially incalculable consequences for the democratic development of the country," the party said in a statement.

"The decision of the Constitutional Committee to announce competitions for new judges outside its authority, while ignoring the procedures prescribed by the Constitution, demonstrates the brutal attack of the authorities on the foundations of the Montenegrin institutional order. Taking over the powers of the Constitutional Court represents a dangerous precedent, which is leading Montenegro towards an autocratic model of governance, moving it away from European democratic standards and the Euro-Atlantic path.

The Party of European Progress recalls that Article 154 of the Constitution clearly stipulates that only the Constitutional Court can determine the termination of the mandate of judges, and any attempt at a different interpretation is not only a gross violation of the Constitution, but also a criminal offense. Today we see how the parliamentary majority takes for itself the right to interpret and apply the Constitution according to political interests, while institutions become hostages of party arbitrariness.

The parliamentary majority, through irresponsible and destructive policies, not only undermines citizens' trust in institutions, but also opens the door to dangerous legal chaos.

We call on all progressive and democratic forces to stand in defense of the Constitution and the legal order of Montenegro. "This destruction of the system must be met with a sharp and unified response from all who believe in justice, law and the European future of our country.

Montenegro will not and must not fall prey to those who are trying to subjugate it to political single-mindedness and suspend democracy. The Party of European Progress will continue to fight for the preservation of constitutionality and the rights of all citizens of Montenegro," the Party of European Progress said.