In an interview for Nova M, Montenegro Parliament Speaker, Mr Aleksa Bečić, has said that one of the reasons for postponing the parliament’s sitting was to reduce tensions and divisions.
-Key moments from the interview with Mr Bečić-
The current epidemiological situation, both in the world and our country, imposes new rules of life, as they call it – the “new normal”. You were at the funeral of Metropolitan Amfilohije, it was a mass gathering, which part of the public considered problematic from the epidemiological aspect. Now we have tighter measures in place. What is your message to citizens?
Mr Bečić: The event you mentioned is not something that happens every day. I was at the funeral, you could notice that I adhered to the measures all the time and I was wearing the face mask. Also, a few days after that event, I got tested for Covid-19 on my own initiative and the results were negative. On the other hand, I could compare it with other gatherings and events, the actions of certain officials, their positions and responsibilities in this process. I have no intention of doing it. Tonight, as I have done several times before, I call on the citizens of Montenegro to abide by the measures, and all society members to be equal in exercising their rights, as it’s the best motivation for solidarity and responsibility.
Although the Parliament’s sitting forming the new govt was scheduled for November 24 -the date connected with the disputed decisions of the Podgorica Assembly – you decided to postpone it for to December 2 upon the request of several political parties. Why did you make such a decision, considering that no one at the Collegium of the Parliament Speaker opposed to the original date?
Mr Bečić: The reasons for rescheduling the sitting are: firstly, we need to amend the Rules of Procedure in order to enable the opposition MPs to take part in the sitting and vote, having in mind that they will have to do it from their homes due to the coronavirus. We need to talk to them, take into consideration their requests and jointly agree on the dates for sittings. In addition, once the Rules of Procedures is amended and passed, it has to be published in the Official Gazette, which takes some time. And the third important reason is the need to respond to the attempts of violating certain dates, creating divisions, stirring tensions and mayhem.
In the epidemiological situation we’re facing, it won’t be easy to hold full sittings of the Parliament. And there is a lot of state and administrative work. What solution do you have for this situation, so that we do not go through a complete blockade of the system?
Mr Bečić: I believe that we’re going to comply with what we agreed on by consensus in the Collegium, that we’re going to adopt the decision amending the Rules of Procedure on 23 November thus enabling the self-isolated MPs to take part in the parliament’s sitting.
You’ve been performing the tasks of a parliament speaker for a month and a half. It’s a short period of time, but what has been done so far?
Mr Bečić: These 50 days have been very dynamic and intense for us, indeed. I’d divide activities that we carried out into three parts. Firstly, the meetings at the international and national level. Secondly, the activities in the field of constituting the Parliament of Montenegro in its full capacity and completing that process. Thirdly, concrete projects aimed at improving the transparency and openness of the Parliament’s work.
Are the divisions over key issues and values smaller or larger?
Mr Bečić: I’d like to point out that we had two sessions of the Collegium of the Parliament Speaker so far, all heads of caucuses took part in them and we reached a number of common conclusions at both sessions, i.e. practically all conclusions from both sessions were common.
What will be different in the functioning of the Parliament and parliamentary bodies with you as a speaker?
Mr Bečić: We can look at it through the goals we had defined. It’s the need to strengthen the supervisory role of the Parliament. It must be a central social and political place, as envisaged by the Constitution. It should be a reliable, strong and genuine partner of the government, not any verification center, and as such, it’ll help the government function better.
Mr Aleksa Bečić also says that the reform of election legislation will be the top priority, as well as the elimination of the status of acting prosecutors in the justice system.
Mr Bečić: In this new socio-political moment, I call on all human resources of our society, who meet the requirements, to apply for the competition, in order to have a wide range of quality staff and reach the best possible solutions after the agreement, because Montenegro must head to a resolute fight against crime and corruption.
The things you’re talking about sound easily achievable in theory. Will it be so in practice?
Mr Bečić: If we all take care of Montenegro’s interest, its European path, as we can hear from various sides, then I think we’ll reach the results.
Are you satisfied with PM-designate’s proposal for ministers in the Government?
Mr Bečić: Being the parliament speaker, I don’t think it’s up to me to be satisfied or dissatisfied with his choice.
