A protest organized by several non-governmental organizations is being held in front of the Parliament of Montenegro, opposing the ratification of the Agreement with the UAE.
“The Parliament is deciding today whether to put the Constitution on life support or to turn it off,” was the message delivered during a performance in front of the parliament building in Podgorica.
At the gathering, the President of the Municipality of Ulcinj, Genci Nimanbegu, appealed to MPs not to vote for the ratification of the cooperation agreement with the UAE.
Nimanbegu emphasized that he is against the agreement that would lead to the concreting of the Long Beach (Velika plaža), telling MPs that by voting in favor of the agreement, “the responsibility will fall on them personally, today and forever.”
Vanja Ćalović Marković, Executive Director of the Network for Affirmation of the NGO Sector (MANS), reminded the ruling majority MPs that they were once the opposition, stating that they would not be allowed to give away Buljarica or Jaz.
She urged MPs to direct investors toward the development of Velje brdo instead.
“We have united all of Montenegro to protect the greatest jewels of this country. Look around—people of all faiths, all nations, all political affiliations—all are in agreement that our treasures, our gems, must remain in the hands of us, the citizens of Montenegro, and not be turned into jobs as cooks, waiters, and maids for someone else. We must manage what is ours in the public interest, not in the private interest of any MP, prime minister, or individual—because it belongs to all of us. Once again, I call on the MPs of the ruling majority: remember that you once had a backbone. Is it really possible that your chairs have bent every single one of your spines?” Ćalović Marković stated.
The protestors recited the poem “The Homeland Is Defended by Beauty” by Ljubivoje Ršumović.
The protest is taking place simultaneously with a heated debate and opposing views that are marking the Third Session of the First Regular Sitting of the year, during which Members of Parliament are discussing the agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
