Today, February 2, 2024, was the deadline for the Government to act on the request of the Constitutional Court and submit their statement on the initiative for the constitutional review of the Regulation terminating the mandate of the state agent before the European Court of Human Rights. The Constitutional Court announced that it will decide on this case as a matter of priority as soon as it receives the Government’s statement.

Instead of waiting for the decision of the Constitutional Court, the Government decided to pre-empt it and defiantly elect a new person to the position of the state agent. In this way, the Government publicly humiliated the Constitutional Court and the rule of law in Montenegro.

There was no deadline obliging the Government to take “urgent” action. On the contrary, the intention to disavow the announced decision of the Constitutional Court is obvious.

The consequences that such a decision of the Government will have if the Constitutional Court finds the disputed Regulation unconstitutional will be extremely harmful for all interested parties, and especially for the reputation of Montenegro with European institutions.

Previous warning of Human Rights Action see here.