Montenegro, the pro-Serbian parties in the government demand the amendment of the Constitution

2024-08-31 20:25:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Montenegro, the pro-Serbian parties in the government demand the amendment of

The pro-Serbian and pro-Russian parties have added demands for the amendment and completion of the Constitution of Montenegro, especially in articles related to identity, such as language and state symbols. On the other hand, the representatives of the Montenegrin opposition estimate that these demands are in line with the ideology of the "Serbian world" and in the service of Belgrade's nationalist policy.

The pro-Russian and pro-Serbian political parties, which in July were included in the reorganized Montenegrin government, are these days repeating the request for the amendment and completion of the Constitution of Montenegro.

This change, according to them, should be done by completing the provisions that change the status of the Serbian language and some state symbols in Montenegro.

The Speaker of the Parliament. Andrija Mandiç said that "after the results of the population census, we will insist that there be a change in the Constitution where the Serbian language is equated with the Montenegrin language".

Pro-Russian and pro-Serbian parties believe that the result of the census will show that the Serbian language is represented by the majority of the population in Montenegro, where, according to them, "the Serbian language should be an official language and not, as before, a language in official use ".

However, in December of last year, the population census was conducted in Montenegro, the results of which have not yet been announced.

In this context, the Montenegrin opposition strongly opposes the proposal for amending and supplementing the constitution, especially in the parts related to identity issues.

Representatives of the Democratic Party of Socialists of former president Milo Djukanovic claim that "the demands of the pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro are in the wake of the ideology of the 'Serbian world', which aims at confrontation with the neighboring states in the region."

The head of this party, Danijel ?ivkovi?, said that "the actions of the pro-Serbian parties, which continue to adapt to the nationalist and chauvinistic politics of Belgrade, are extremely low and anti-state".

However, the opposition estimates that the method of changing the Constitution of Montenegro is very complex and requires a high level of consent from the citizens and the parliament.

To change the part of the Constitution that refers to the language and state symbols, such as the flag and the national anthem, the support of two-thirds of the deputies is necessary.

However, the demands have been reiterated on the 4th anniversary of the victory of the pro-Serb parties and their allies over the more than 30-year rule of the party of former president Milo Djukanovic.

This majority led to a political and institutional crisis, and since December 2021, Montenegro has not made any visible progress with the EU, due to delays in reforms necessary for the accession process.

Montenegro, a candidate country for membership in the European Union, joined NATO in 2017, amid Russian opposition and Belgrade's displeasure./VOA