The Legislative Committee of the Montenegrin Parliament has approved five amendments proposed by member Miodrag Laković from the Movement for a European Future (PES) to the Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Internal Affairs. The amendments were adopted with six votes in favor, supported predominantly by members of PES, while the only opposition came from Duško Stjepović, a member of the Democratic Party.
During the session, Laković briefly explained the rationale behind the amendments, emphasizing that parliamentarians were already familiar with their essence. He highlighted the constitutional right to defense, asserting the necessity for individuals to be informed of the reasons that justify the existence of a security threat. He stated, “It is not legally or constitutionally grounded that a decision to terminate employment be made automatically without considering the circumstances surrounding each individual case.”
The amendments aim to address concerns surrounding retroactivity and the suspension of already initiated disciplinary procedures, which Laković argued would violate the Constitution. He pointed out that applying new legal solutions to ongoing cases undermines the legal principle of individual assessment.
Interestingly, during a meeting of the Political System Committee on February 27, 2024, PES members did not support Laković‘s amendments, which significantly alter provisions proposed by the government. The divergence in views highlights the ongoing debates within the Montenegrin legislative framework regarding internal affairs and the balance between security measures and individual rights.
The approved amendments will now proceed to the full parliamentary vote, where their fate will be determined. The discussions surrounding these changes reflect broader issues of governance and legal integrity in Montenegro’s evolving political landscape.
