EU Delegation: Form the Central Election Commission, complete the Judicial Council and adopt the second package of constitutional amendments

The European Union Delegation in Podgorica said this evening that Montenegro’s remaining key obligations in the field of the rule of law — the establishment of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the election of the missing members of the Judicial Council and the adoption of the second package of constitutional amendments — must be fulfilled quickly and responsibly, with broad political support.

“It is important that pro-European political forces keep their common goal in mind and, despite differences, continue to support the remaining European reforms,” the Delegation said. They confirmed they are in regular communication with the signatories of the July political agreement, both with the government and the opposition.

The Delegation welcomed the recent adoption of constitutional amendments as “an important step forward on Montenegro’s European path”. Vijesti had reported earlier today that representatives of the Government, the majority and the opposition met today at the EU Delegation in Podgorica on the proposal to amend the Constitution on integrity vetting before the formation of the government, which failed in Parliament two days ago — 46 votes in favor, while 54 were needed.

According to sources, EU representatives said amending the Constitution on the integrity vetting is necessary, while Government and majority representatives offered the opposition a “compromise model of constitutional and legal solutions”. Opposition sources say the opposition and the European Commission will state their positions by Monday and that the work must be completed by the middle of next week.

The opposition is conditioning its support on the quorum for the session where the dismissal of parliament speaker Andrija Mandić will be voted on.

Source: Vijesti