The ongoing debate over the status of the Serbian language in Montenegro is set to take center stage tomorrow, as Milan Knežević, leader of the ZBCG-DNP parliamentary club, plans to question Prime Minister Milojko Spajić during a parliamentary session dedicated to the prime minister’s hour. Knežević intends to press Spajić on when the government will initiate discussions regarding constitutional amendments to officially recognize the Serbian language.
Knežević’s inquiry reflects a broader push within certain political factions to amend the constitution to grant Serbian the status of an official language. He stated, “When do you plan to start a dialogue within the parliamentary majority and the government regarding constitutional changes to give Serbian language official status in the Constitution?”
During the same session, Dritan Abazović from the URA party will question the Prime Minister about the operational status of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant. He seeks clarification on whether the plant has commenced trial operations in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and has requested relevant documentation for public disclosure.
Inquiries will also come from Vasilije Čarapić of the PES party, who will ask Spajić about the government’s dynamic plan for 2026 regarding the closure of negotiation chapters with the European Union. Čarapić specifically aims to understand the strategy for addressing sensitive negotiation chapters, including chapters 23, 24, and 27, which are pivotal for Montenegro’s EU accession process.
Čarapić noted, “What can citizens of Montenegro concretely expect in 2026? Not only in a symbolic sense of celebrating independence but also regarding key promises from our government concerning living standards, social justice, and the rule of law.”
The Prime Minister will also face questions from Mihailo Anđušić of the DPS party, who will inquire about potential reforms within Montenegro’s public administration in light of warnings from Brussels. Anđušić referenced a report from the Ministry of Finance indicating that the number of employees in state companies has increased by nearly 30% over the past four years.
Meanwhile, Nikola Zirojević from the SD party plans to ask Spajić if he detects any elements within the government and parliamentary majority that are acting against Montenegro’s European integration efforts. This questioning comes amid rising concerns over the alignment of government policies with EU standards.
Boris Bogdanović from the Democrats will probe into the allocations of housing and loans to parliament members and other public officials since the government took office. He has requested detailed statistics regarding the distribution of apartments and financial benefits, seeking transparency in the matter.
Artan Čobi from the Albanian Forum will raise a question about the expansion of the Sukobin border crossing. With recent tenders announced for the design of a highway section from the Gulf to Sukobin, Čobi aims to clarify if there are plans to enhance border facilities to accommodate increased traffic flows.
Lastly, Ilir Čapuni from the Special Parliamentary Club will address the planned construction of a bridge over the Bojana River, which has been agreed upon between Montenegro and Albania. Čapuni will inquire about the significance of this infrastructural project and whether there are any impediments to its realization.
As the parliamentary session unfolds, these discussions are expected to shed light on critical issues affecting Montenegro’s linguistic, infrastructural, and political landscape.
