Political figures in Montenegro must come together to seek a political consensus on requesting an opinion from the Venice Commission and pledge to adhere to it. The European Union (EU) stands ready to assist in this endeavor.

The EU Delegation in Podgorica conveyed this information to “Vijesti” today, in response to inquiries about whether Ambassador Johan Sattler had reached out to the “Venetians” regarding the timeline for obtaining an opinion on the termination of Dragana Đuranović’s position in the Constitutional Court, and the nature of such an opinion, if any. They also clarified what responses had been received.

The EU Delegation emphasized their encouragement for all political actors to collaboratively back “key European reforms” within the Parliament.

“To ensure that the country maintains its trajectory towards achieving the ambitious target of concluding all chapters by the end of 2026,” they stated.

“Vijesti” reported yesterday that during a meeting hosted by Sattler, which included Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, along with leaders from the Europe Now Movement and the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and Social Democrats (SD), Danijela Živković and Damir Šehović, an agreement was reached for Sattler to ask the “Venetians” about the timeline for providing their opinion on the Đuranović situation, while ensuring that it would not interfere with ongoing domestic court proceedings regarding a lawsuit filed by a former judge against Parliament regarding the termination of her office.

Spajić, Živković, and Šehović explored potential solutions to the political crisis stemming from the Đuranović matter. This situation arose after Parliament declared in mid-December last year that her judicial role ceased as per the Pension and Disability Insurance Act (PIO), without mandatory notification to the Constitutional Court.

Đuranović alleges discrimination, asserting that her dismissal should have followed the labor act instead.

During the meeting led by Sattler, which included two colleagues of Spajić from PES, a resolution to the main point of contention between the government and the opposition—a necessary agreement to normalize parliamentary work after the opposition MPs were removed from the plenary—was not achieved.

DPS is advocating for the government to initiate an agreement with the opposition that would impose a moratorium on amendments to the Constitution and the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship, while PES is proposing the government’s “Barometer 26” platform to set aside “polarizing issues.”

Recent developments have complicated the previously nearly settled agreement for the Venice Commission to provide an opinion on the Đuranović situation, which all parties had agreed to accept.

According to “Vijesti,” while Spajić’s suggestion to seek the opinion of the “Venetians” was reportedly acceptable at the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed concerns that Đuranović’s lawsuit against Parliament might undermine the integrity of domestic courts.

Since early February, most opposition MPs have been unable to participate in parliamentary sessions because they were suspended by Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić for disrupting a session that aimed to decide on the budget (which was eventually passed). The opposition obstructed the Assembly’s work as the ruling majority rejected their demand to annul the conclusion made by the Constitutional Committee and Mandić’s announcement that Đuranović had ceased her role due to retirement conditions under the PIO Law. They argue that both the Constitutional Committee and Mandić have overstepped their jurisdiction, encroaching upon the remit of the Constitutional Court.

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