Montenegrin opposition demands referendum

The Montenegrin opposition will demand the urgent calling of a referendum on the government’s decision to recognize Kosovo. The motion to call a referendum contains a proposal for the vote to be held on December 14, report Podgorica media. Montenegrin opposition demands referendum Under the motion, the proposed question would read: “Do you believe that the government should overturn its decision to recognize Kosovo independence?“ The application to include the motion on the agenda of today’s parliamentary session was supported by the Serb List, the Movement for Change, the Socialist People’s Party, the National Party and the Democratic Serb Party. The opposition’s motion for the government to overturn its decision was earlier dismissed by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic. During prime minister’s questions, Djukanovic said that the Montenegrin government had not taken a hasty or impetuous decision on recognizing Kosovo’s unilateral independence, and that this was why he would not withdraw it. If the ruling coalition refuses to include the referendum motion on the agenda or vote against it after the debate, the opposition will call for early elections. The Democratic Party of Socialists said earlier that none of the opposition’s requests was acceptable relating to the government’s recognition of Kosovo. The opposition has sought meetings with the ambassadors of the leading world states concerning the situation in Montenegro in the wake of the recognition. Consultations have been sought with the ambassadors of the U.S., EU member-states, Russia and China. The Serb List, the Movement for Change, the Socialist People’s Party, the National Party and the Democratic Serb Party have asked for the meetings. The Montenegrin parliament (Beta, archive)

Montenegrin opposition demands referendum

Under the motion, the proposed question would read: “Do you believe that the government should overturn its decision to recognize Kosovo independence?“

The application to include the motion on the agenda of today’s parliamentary session was supported by the Serb List, the Movement for Change, the Socialist People’s Party, the National Party and the Democratic Serb Party.

The opposition’s motion for the government to overturn its decision was earlier dismissed by Prime Minister Milo Đukanović.

During prime minister’s questions, Đukanović said that the Montenegrin government had not taken a hasty or impetuous decision on recognizing Kosovo’s unilateral independence, and that this was why he would not withdraw it.

If the ruling coalition refuses to include the referendum motion on the agenda or vote against it after the debate, the opposition will call for early elections.

The Democratic Party of Socialists said earlier that none of the opposition’s requests was acceptable relating to the government’s recognition of Kosovo.

The opposition has sought meetings with the ambassadors of the leading world states concerning the situation in Montenegro in the wake of the recognition.

Consultations have been sought with the ambassadors of the U.S., EU member-states, Russia and China.

The Serb List, the Movement for Change, the Socialist People’s Party, the National Party and the Democratic Serb Party have asked for the meetings.