Montenegrin opposition could boycott parliament

The Montenegrin opposition is seriously considering a boycott of the national and local assemblies after September 2. That is when the parliament is set to discuss amendments to the general education law, and if by then no agreement is reached with the government regarding the status of the Serbian language in the education system, the opposition could turn to boycott. Montenegrin opposition could boycott parliament The Vijesti daily from Podgorica says the opposition sees the boycott as the necessary solution if the agreement is not reached soon. The prime minister and the opposition leaders were not able to agree on Monday after the fourth attempt. The name of the language taught in schools remains an issue, although there are only two days left until the start of the school year. After the meeting on Monday, the reporters were told Prime Minister Igor Luksic had not agreed to name the subject Montenegrin, Serbian/native language and literature. Luksic suggested Montenegrin/native language and literature as the name, adding that the government was not willing to compromise further than that, but the opposition rejected the proposal. The opposition demands that the Serbian and Montenegrin languages be treated as equals within the education system if it is to support the new election bill. The bill, which is the EU's number one condition for Montenegro to get the start date for the accession talks, requires a two-thirds majority in the parliament in order to be adopted.

Montenegrin opposition could boycott parliament

The Vijesti daily from Podgorica says the opposition sees the boycott as the necessary solution if the agreement is not reached soon.

The prime minister and the opposition leaders were not able to agree on Monday after the fourth attempt.

The name of the language taught in schools remains an issue, although there are only two days left until the start of the school year.

After the meeting on Monday, the reporters were told Prime Minister Igor Lukšić had not agreed to name the subject Montenegrin, Serbian/native language and literature.

Lukšić suggested Montenegrin/native language and literature as the name, adding that the government was not willing to compromise further than that, but the opposition rejected the proposal.

The opposition demands that the Serbian and Montenegrin languages be treated as equals within the education system if it is to support the new election bill.

The bill, which is the EU's number one condition for Montenegro to get the start date for the accession talks, requires a two-thirds majority in the parliament in order to be adopted.