PRESIDENT RANKO KRIVOKAPIĆ

Parliamentarism Day in Montenegro – 31 October 2014

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed excellencies, dear friends,

Parliamentarism Day in Montenegro, the state which had to make a great history in order to survive, connects the birth of its European constitutional duration and the day of earthly death of the one who lives eternally – Petar II Petrović Njegoš.

The destiny wanted the day of birth of European parliamentarism and the day of departure into eternity of the spiritual father to fall on St Luke Day.

Through decades and centuries, the form which articulated the political will of Montenegrin citizen has been changing. Still, today we may perceive the clear, unbroken thread of democratic tradition in Montenegro. For nation, who ethos is described by famous statement “Montenegrins do not love chains”, democracy is a natural state, thus Montenegrin political practice necessitated certain democratic procedure both in monarchic and one-party system.

I

The foundation of modern parliamentarism in Montenegro is undoubtedly the first Constitution of 1905.

That Constitution, as well as the parliamentarism, was the new articulation of the tradition which has existed for centuries in Montenegro. The local political practice, essentially if not formally, lived the spirit of parliamentarism as the red threat of existence.

For thousand years existed Montenegrin, as we would say by contemporary terminology, direct democracy. General Montenegrin Assembly, whose name changed throughout history, but whose antic and democratic essence survived, has its root in general people’s assemblies and patrician gatherings, during which rulers of Doclea were elected, as undeniably witnessed by eternal work SCLAVORUM REGNUM - “The Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja”.  

The value of political will of people, expressed through their political representatives, was also respected by great Crnojevići.

St Ivan used to gather intertribal assembly in Vranjina. And precisely from such direct democracy from Montenegrin forum – threshing floor – tribe and state structure of Montenegro has increased.

With prerogatives of power, bishop Danilo was enthroned for Montenegrin metropolitan and ruler at General Montenegrin Assembly.   

At the time when Assembly gathered, all Montenegrins were equal, no matter which brotherhood and tribe they belonged to, no matter who they were, and regardless of their ancestry or belongings. Everybody has the right to speak. On that day, rulers who presented a tribe and rule over it, gained or lose confidence of the society given by the governorship. Decisions made by rulers had to be confirmed by the Assembly in order to be valid.

In society with no classic institutions, there was almost no more democratic way to adopt decisions.

Montenegrin Assembly of Rulers, under the wise leadership of Saint Petar Cetinjski, decided not only on dynasty founders, but also on the first legislative act of modern Montenegro “Stega” - General Montenegrin and Mountain Code.

His successor, Petar II Petrović Njegoš, by the same principle and by collective decision of the Assembly, did additionally strengthen state administration by founding the Senate, Guardia Grenadier Guards.

We should not forget 11 convocations of parliaments in the period of Yugoslav socialism, during which, each of Montenegrin nations achieved socio-economic development which can be hardly measured with anything else in their history.

The way in which Yugoslavia disseminated, largely for its own undemocratic weakness, witnesses that nothing can be stronger defence from destruction of order than unreserved strengthening of institutions and faith in democracy. The same message is carried by the destiny of king Nikola. The King was late the loyalty to crown to direct to belonging to the state of the rule of law. Neglected was the truth that an equitable order was a pray of Montenegro, which cannot be shut down, killed or disabled. With no faith in justice, the defence of Montenegro was weak.

II

Esteemed colleagues,

The birth of modern parliamentarism in 1905 was directly preceded by wise policy of nourishing differences conducted by king Nikola. In 1878 he gave a valid power to first mufti nominated for Montenegro, to judge Muslims according to sharia. Therefore, let no one frighten Montenegro by its Muslims, Bosniaks and Albanians. In civil states and democracies, such as Montenegro, togetherness is older than intolerance and wisdom is stronger than impulsiveness. Ethical tensions are characteristic of some other areas, which missed to learn lesson of coexistence from Montenegro.

Code of Honour is common for all religions and nations which culturally constitute our homeland. And, where people share same moral values, reason and togetherness win.

 III

Esteemed,

It would be good for us to study thoroughly the first Constitution and learn from it. That Constitution established the right of Montenegrin citizens to elect MPs directly. But also, not less important, an obligation that “each MP shall represent the whole nation”. Hence, not only those who voted. An MP is obliged to devote its term of office also taking care about those who did not show trust to him. That measure of accountability is not easy to achieve, not even in the most advanced democracies. The general interest must be ahead of party interest.

Where there is a lack of transparency, democracy losses. Hence, our mission has not been only to strengthen but also to open Montenegrin Parliament. Not only the Parliament to embrace all of powers given to it by the Constitution, but also to open Montenegrin temple of democracy for our partners in mission of strengthening the rule of law: nongovernmental sector, media, independent intelligence and our children through “Democracy Workshops”.

Montenegrin parliament does not favour ruling parties nor opposition, but uncompromised respect of law and democratic reforms. Sometimes, it caused a lack of understanding among those who learn democracy more slowly. Today, everybody sees that Montenegrin Parliament is stronger than ever, and certainly decisive enough to oversee and implement all remaining and numerous reforms that await us on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.

IV

Esteemed participants of celebration of 108 years since Parliamentarism in Montenegro,

This generation of Montenegrin politicians and state officials has a clear mandate: after we renewed Montenegrin state, we are to strengthen Montenegrin democracy and this state not only politically, economically and safety, but also socially and culturally, and introduce it in family of enlightened western democracies which are lighthouse of human freedoms and progress for the whole world. Everything else would mean that we betrayed trust whose majority will is, without doubt, independent Montenegro as full-fledged member of Euro Atlantic family.

Certainly, rule of law and necessity of its persistence, is not a fight only of this time, nor a special challenge of contemporary Montenegro. Since we exist and as long as we would exist, we would live through that eternal challenge both for an individual and for the state. Building the state of full rule of law is the highest degree of state’s maturity.

We are aware, especially we parliamentarians, that selective justice is the worst kind of injustice. The state which has no power to enforce its laws endangers faith in justice as a fundamental belief of all Montenegrin citizens.

Montenegro has never been closer to European community of universal values than today. To be close is not enough. Montenegro will become an integral, inseparable part of Euro-Atlantic family. But, before that, we must be prepared to defend the European values by the law and the power of the state.

Esteemed colleagues,

I invite all political actors to set asidenarrow party interests, and primarily populist demagogy, which is a threat not only to us, but also to more developed democracies, and together, as fellow fighters, to unify for the good of all citizens of Montenegro.

May Montenegrin parliamentarism be strong and may Montenegro be eternal.

Ranko Krivokapić