Montenegro Govt Accused of Flouting Constitution Amid Crisis

Montenegrin MP discussion about COVID-19.Photo: Montenegrin government

Democratic Front MP Branka Bosnjak warned that, in a situation in which Montenegro has not declared a state of emergency, parliament must decide on all government measures.

"The government is abusing the situation with the novel coronavirus to violate the constitution. Obviously they don't want parliament sessions so the government can work without control," said Bosnjak told BIRN.

The Democratic Front raised its concerns after the government on Monday announced that a special working group will prepare new set of economic measures for companies and citizens during the pandemic.

The opposition called on Prime Minister Dusko Markovic to propose any crisis-related economic measures to parliament.

On March 13, the national coordination body for infectious diseases banned all public gathering in Montenegro due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Since then there have been no parliamentary sessions.

On March 19, the government also made a number of economic decisions without consulting parliament, despite provisions in the constitution that specify that such decisions can only be taken by the government under a state of emergency.

"Since nobody has declared a state of emergency, we need a more active role for parliament. No country in the region has suspended parliament except Montenegro," Bosnjak said.  On Friday 27, Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simovic met political party representatives in parliament and warned them that government must make decisions without delay "as public health is more important".

Montenegrin media reported that head of parliament, Ivan Brajovic, has also called on the government not to ignore the legislature and to propose all measures to...