Živković: The opposition offers a platform for overcoming the crisis, we expect the We Expect the ruling majority to accept it
Over the past three years, the opposition has contributed to Montenegro’s European path despite the government’s arrogance. However, because of such conduct, we have said that our cooperation with this government can no longer continue. That is why we have announced a platform for overcoming the crisis, said the President of the Democratic Party of Socialists Danijel Živković.
Speaking at a press conference in the Parliament of Montenegro, he stated that the platform envisages the necessary amendments to two disputed laws - the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on the National Security Agency.
Živković emphasized that the adoption of these laws had led to a political crisis and that the opinion of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption had confirmed everything the opposition had been saying regarding the unconstitutionality of the two legal acts.
He added that the platform also envisages the need to achieve political consensus on appointments within the judiciary, as well as appointments to Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG).
- The third point is that no legislative changes will be made without the agreement of both the government and the opposition. The fourth element concerns control and oversight mechanisms in preparation for the parliamentary elections in 2027 - Živković stated.
He stressed that it is in the opposition’s interest to accelerate the EU integration process and to make a full contribution to the national goal of Montenegro becoming a member of the European Union.
- The pro-European opposition cannot remain a silent observer. We expect the ruling majority to fully accept all elements of the platform - Živković said.
He believes that a future parliamentary majority will ultimately lead Montenegro into the European Union, but that oversight mechanisms must be established until then.
- If we were in government and they were in opposition, the situation in Montenegro would not look like this. I expect the government to accept this platform, and I do not see it as controversial. We have held talks with independent MPs and have seen that there is, in principle, agreement regarding this document - Živković noted.
He specified that the platform was proposed by the party he leads and is also signed by the Social Democrats (SD), the Croatian Civic Initiative (HGI) and the Democratic Union of Albanians (DUA).
According to Živković, representatives of the Civic Movement URA stated that they would be even more rigorous in their approach, while no discussions had been held with the Democratic People’s Party.
Agreement is the priority
The President of the Social Democrats, Damir Šehović, said that as a responsible opposition they had put forward such a document because reaching an agreement on all issues related to EU integration is an absolute priority for the state.
- The EU integration process is our policy. We were the ones who directed the country toward this foreign-policy priority. This is not a platform against the government; it is a platform to protect the state from political irresponsibility of any kind - Šehović said.
According to him, society faces a serious question: whether Montenegro will seize the opportunity before it or let it slip away.
- We are not issuing ultimatums, blocking institutions, or causing chaos in parliament. Instead, we are extending a hand. Through this platform, we are trying to bring greater seriousness to Montenegro’s political scene. What the government will do remains to be seen in the coming days - Šehović stated.
The President of the Croatian Civic Initiative, Adrijan Vuksanović, said that he sees no reason why anyone would oppose the introduction of protective mechanisms ahead of elections and everything that follows.
- The opposition wants to make a contribution. The process of EU integration is embedded in the very foundations of the parties that have signed this document - Vuksanović concluded.