Montenegrin parties at odds over president’s third mandate

PODGORICA Montenegrin ruling parties and opposition have opposing views whether current President Filip Vujanovic is entitled to another term in office. Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic should call presidential elections tomorrow and it is certain that they will be held in April. Montenegrin parties at odds over president’s third mandate While the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) claims that Vujanovic is entitled to another presidential term, a smaller partner in the ruling coalition, Social Democratic Party (SDP) points out that he cannot run in the presidential election one more time. The Montenegrin opposition is also facing the same dilemma. Vujanovic was first elected president in May 2003 when Montenegro was a part of a joint state with Serbia. His second mandate started on May 23, 2008. Vujanovic became the first president of Montenegro since the country became independent in 2006. However, there is a dilemma in the Montenegrin public whether the first presidential term should count, bearing in mind that Montenegro was not an independent state at the time. Krivokapic, who is also an SDP leader, has stated that the president is not entitled to run in the presidential election again and that his party would not support him. DPS Spokesman Caslav Vesovic has stated, however, that it was the party's internal issue who will be its candidate in the elections, adding that Vujanovic was one of the potential candidates. He added that this was not a political but legal issue that the Constitutional Court of Montenegro would decide on if necessary. The DPS released earlier that it would decide on its presidential candidate by January 25. Vujanovic has not explicitly said whether he had the right to run for the president again but expressed belief that he will win the elections if the DPS decides to nominate him. He noted that he would run for the president if the DPS decided that he would be the best candidate but that he was also ready to support another candidate if the party made such a decision. According to opinion polls, Vujanovic is currently the most popular politician in Montenegro and enjoys support of both Serbs and Montenegrins. Representatives of ethnic minority parties have announced that they are obligated to support the DPS’ candidate no matter who it might be, in accordance with the coalition agreement. The opposition parties also have opposing views on the issue. Socialist People's Party of Montenegro (SNP) deputy leader Neven Gosovic believes that there are no legal obstacles that could prevent Vujanovic from running for president again. “Vujanovic has only once been elected for a president of Montenegro as an independent state and he was a president of a republic that was in a joint state with Serbia in the previous term. This is a reason that shows that there are no legal and constitutional obstacles to the new candidacy,” he told reporters in Podgorica. On the other hand, New Montenegro deputy leader Goran Danilovic has assessed that the Montenegrin Constitution rules out a possibility of Vujanovic running for president for the third time. “I think that the Constitution is clear and that Vujanovic’s second term is underway, which means that he is not entitled to another one,” he explained. Filip vujanovic (FoNet, file) Tanjug

Montenegrin parties at odds over president’s third mandate

While the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) claims that Vujanović is entitled to another presidential term, a smaller partner in the ruling coalition, Social Democratic Party (SDP) points out that he cannot run in the presidential election one more time.

The Montenegrin opposition is also facing the same dilemma.

Vujanović was first elected president in May 2003 when Montenegro was a part of a joint state with Serbia. His second mandate started on May 23, 2008.

Vujanović became the first president of Montenegro since the country became independent in 2006.

However, there is a dilemma in the Montenegrin public whether the first presidential term should count, bearing in mind that Montenegro was not an independent state at the time.

Krivokapić, who is also an SDP leader, has stated that the president is not entitled to run in the presidential election again and that his party would not support him.

DPS Spokesman Časlav Vešović has stated, however, that it was the party's internal issue who will be its candidate in the elections, adding that Vujanović was one of the potential candidates.

He added that this was not a political but legal issue that the Constitutional Court of Montenegro would decide on if necessary.

The DPS released earlier that it would decide on its presidential candidate by January 25.

Vujanović has not explicitly said whether he had the right to run for the president again but expressed belief that he will win the elections if the DPS decides to nominate him.

He noted that he would run for the president if the DPS decided that he would be the best candidate but that he was also ready to support another candidate if the party made such a decision.

According to opinion polls, Vujanović is currently the most popular politician in Montenegro and enjoys support of both Serbs and Montenegrins.

Representatives of ethnic minority parties have announced that they are obligated to support the DPS’ candidate no matter who it might be, in accordance with the coalition agreement.

The opposition parties also have opposing views on the issue.

Socialist People's Party of Montenegro (SNP) deputy leader Neven Gošović believes that there are no legal obstacles that could prevent Vujanović from running for president again.

“Vujanović has only once been elected for a president of Montenegro as an independent state and he was a president of a republic that was in a joint state with Serbia in the previous term. This is a reason that shows that there are no legal and constitutional obstacles to the new candidacy,” he told reporters in Podgorica.

On the other hand, New Montenegro deputy leader Goran Danilović has assessed that the Montenegrin Constitution rules out a possibility of Vujanović running for president for the third time.

“I think that the Constitution is clear and that Vujanović’s second term is underway, which means that he is not entitled to another one,” he explained.