Blockade of Judicial Council would jeopardise reforms in rule of law

Podgorica, Montenegro (4 May 2018) -- Blocking the election of members of the Judicial Council in the Parliament of Montenegro would have numerous negative effects on key reforms in the field of the rule of law, as the basis for the overall social and economic development of Montenegro, Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Interior and Foreign Policy Zoran Pažin said at a meeting with representatives of the Venice Commission.

DPM Pažin expressed his gratitude to the representatives of the Venice Commission for their long-term cooperation and continuous contribution to the development of the Montenegrin legislative framework according to the highest European standards.

In this regard, he said that he expects that the current issue of election of members of the Judicial Council will be solved, with the support of the Venice Commission, in accordance with the best comparative practices.

Head of the Venice Commission delegation Philip Dimitrov thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for the long-term productive cooperation that Montenegro implements with this expert body of the Council of Europe. He also expressed the hope that all social actors in Montenegro will recognise the importance of smooth functioning of the judiciary and, accordingly, will demonstrate the necessary responsibility and productivity when appointing members of the Judicial Council, as a body that ensures the independence and autonomy of the courts and judges.

The Venice Commission delegation is in Montenegro to discuss ways to overcome the possible blockade in the work of the Judicial Council, due to the opposition's announcement that they will not participate in the work of the Parliament in the election of members of the Council among prominent lawyers.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER