Every individual is entitled to legal representation as guaranteed by law. Every lawyer has the right to perform their duties without fear or stigma.

This statement was made by Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović on the X network, responding to Deputy Prime Minister Momo Koprivica, who asserted that Milatović lacked full awareness that Mirjana Vučinić, his nominee for the Constitutional Court, had previously represented the company “Bemax” in public procurement matters.

“In the Montenegro we envision, justice will no longer be controlled by political parties. When a government lawyer targets another simply for fulfilling their role, it mirrors the political persecution we’ve experienced in the past. We thought we had moved past that. Every citizen possesses the right to legal counsel as defined by law. Every lawyer is entitled to perform their duties without fear or labels,” Milatović stated.

Moreover, he emphasized that this principle is foundational to any democratic society.

“The Constitutional Court serves as the guardian of Montenegro’s constitutionality, not as a defender of political party interests. For a year, Parliament has exacerbated the constitutional crisis. This extends beyond mere constitutional issues; it is an assault on the constitutional order. Both the European and Venice Commissions have clearly articulated this. The Constitutional Court will operate independently of political affiliations or private interests. We intend to establish a Constitutional Court that represents all citizens of Montenegro,” Milatović concluded.

News