The European Union has urged Montenegro’s institutions to uphold the law and adhere to the Constitution, emphasizing that this is crucial for Montenegro’s EU accession path. The EU Delegation stated this in response to queries about possible EU mediation in resolving the constitutional crisis that arose after the retirement of a Constitutional Court judge, Dragana Đuranović, Al Jazeera Balkans reports.
EU Encourages Cooperation
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, encouraged all political forces in Montenegro to unite to overcome the current deadlock and secure broad support for EU-related reforms. Kos also offered the Commission’s assistance in finding solutions beneficial for Montenegro’s EU integration, including an independent international body’s assessment.
EU’s Appeal to Montenegro
Reports indicate that EU ambassadors met with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and representatives of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) to discuss involving the Venice Commission in resolving the crisis. While the DPS initially opposed the idea, they have announced plans to discuss it with other opposition parties.
Before Kos’s speech in parliament, Speaker of Parliament Andrija Mandić expressed reservations about the Venice Commission assessing the decision to retire Constitutional Court judges.
The EU reiterated its call for Montenegro to amend its legal framework and establish specific regulations on judicial retirement, aligning with European standards and Venice Commission recommendations.
The Constitutional Crisis
Montenegro has been grappling with a constitutional crisis following the parliamentary decision to retire Judge Đuranović and plans to retire two more judges. Opposition parties have since blocked parliamentary sessions, demanding the reversal of these decisions, which they claim violate the Constitution.
The Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe specializing in constitutional matters, has been approached in the past for guidance on similar issues. While its opinions are non-binding, they carry significant weight in shaping constitutional reforms.
The EU has called on Montenegro’s authorities and leaders to ensure the full functionality of the Constitutional Court as a cornerstone of the rule of law and democratic stability, advocating for merit-based and transparent judicial appointments.
