KEY EVENTS
PARLIAMENT OF MONTENEGRO
History
XVII CENTURY
First Representative Bodies
Historically, general gatherings of Montenegrin people (Montenegrin: Opštecrnogorski zbor)
or gatherings of clan-chiefs (Montenegrin: zborovi glavara) were bodies of representative
nature. They were a sort of general people’s assemblies. Since the time of Prince-Bishop
Danilo (1697-1735), general assemblies of the Montenegrin people were held once a year
on St. Peter’s Day according to certain unwritten rules. In Montenegrin tribal society,
the assemblies were a significant factor in solving common problems. However, they
were not able to bring about stronger inter-tribal unity for undertaking an important
action nor were they strong enough to institutionalise themselves as a body of supratribal or state character.
1798
Adopting of the Code and Formation of State
Bodies
After the Assembly of Clan-Chiefs in Stanojevići adopted the General Code of Montenegro
and the Hills (Montenegrin: Zakonik opšči crnogorski i brdski) in 1798, Archbishop Petar
Petrović I established government authorities including the Administration Court of
Montenegro and the Hills (Montenegrin: Praviteljstvo suda crnogorskog i brdskog). The
Court represented the first institution with elements of a state body, which primarily
exercised judicial role with some administrative authority. Though it did not represent
a classic parliamentary body for its basic features, it did however assumed some sort of
parliamentary character, given that it was elected on a tribal basis and, as such, consisted
of clan- chiefs.
1831
Senate Established
as the First Institution with State-like features
PARLIAMENT OF MONTENEGRO
Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog br. 10,
81000 Podgorica,
Phone: +382 20 404 565; Fax: +382 20 404 518,
e-mail: [email protected],
www.skupstina.me
At the end of 1831, during the reign of Petar Petrović Njegoš II (1830-1851), the Senate
was established, as part of the major state reforms undertaken with the support of Russian
delegates Ivan Vukotić and Matej Vukićević. As the highest state organ, the Senate exercised
judicial and administrative powers representing an important pillar in strengthening
the entire state system. However, neither at its creation nor later did the Senate have
the characteristics of a supreme state body. The supreme power was concentrated in
the hands of the Prince-Bishop - and later the King. The literature recognises the Senate
as the first institution in Montenegro that formally and factually had the character of
a state institution. The Senate was reformed in 1837. Pero Tomov, the brother of the
Prince-Bishop, was elected Chairman of the Senate; and Đuro Savov Petrović was elected
Deputy Chair. At that time, the Senate had 14 members and was the “holder and executor
of the three highest powers”, i.e. legislative, executive and judicial. With 1879 reforms, the
affairs that had been run by the Senate up to that period were transferred to the three
newly established bodies: State Council, Ministry, and Grand Court. The State Council was
composed of ministers, the archbishop, and other high officials appointed by the Prince.
Apart from the advisory role, its primary function consisted of legislative activities, i.e.
drafting basic laws and debating certain legislative proposals submitted by ministers,
which were eventually passed and proclaimed by the Prince. In this new concept, the
State Council was supposed to be a legislative body and the highest state authority.
SECOND HALF OF XIX CENTURY
Written Laws Replaced Common Law
Second half of XIX and the beginning of the XX century was the time of significant legislative
activity. Written laws replaced common law. The Code of Danilo I, known under the name
of “the Danilo’s Code”, was passed in 1855 following the initiative of Prince Danilo (18511860), the ruler of Montenegro and the Hills. This law, consisting of 95 articles, marked the
continuation of reforms in the country and additionally strengthened the authority of the
state. Among the adopted laws, the General Property Code by Dr Valtazar Bogišić played
an especially important role. The Code was translated into many languages and served
as an outstanding example of harmony established between tradition and modernism.
1905
Voting Right Established
The right to vote was established in 1905. It was regulated by the Order on Elections of
People’s Representatives , issued by the Chairman of the State Council and the Minister
of Interior on 1 November 1905. The first law defining all relevant election issues, such
as: election counties, number of MPs, the right to vote and to be elected, voter registries,
list of candidates, election material, polling stations, procedure for closing polling stations
and of vote count, was adopted on 7 July 1906. Soon after, a new version was adopted
on 18 January 1907 (based on the experience from previous elections). Provisions on
voting rights remained the same, but the election procedure was defined more precisely.
The right to vote did not change until the end of parliamentary life in the Kingdom
of Montenegro. Every Montenegrin citizen over 21 years of age was entitled to vote,
regardless of how much he paid in property tax (Montenegrin: dacije).
1905
First Elections
Held and First
Constitution
Adopted
The first elections in Montenegro
were held on 27 November 1905
for the Montenegrin National
Assembly, whose sole task was to pass the Constitution, a gift of King Nikola to Montenegro.
Based on the Edict of King Nikola from 31 October 1905, it was ordered that the election
of MPs be conducted, while the election procedure was prescribed by the Order of the
Chairman of the State Council and Minister of Interior, Duke Božo Petrović.
1906
First Elections for Legislative Assembly
The first elections for a legislative
assembly (i.e. the Parliament),
were held on 27 September
1906. At the first elections, no
group presented any election
program. Certain representatives
of the Constitutional Assembly
distinguished themselves in the
campaign process. Elections were
mostly fair, though in some places
there were certain pressures to
vote for certain candidates.
There were 76 MPs in the first convocation of the Parliament in 1906 (56 elected in
captaincies, 6 in small towns, and 14 appointed on the basis of their function). From
among 56 MPs elected in captaincies, there were 23 captains, one brigadier, two district
governors, three dukes, nine commanders and vice commanders, nine judges, two priests,
two teachers, two clerks, two salesmen and one farmer. Six small towns elected six MPs,
while another 14 MPs assumed the position based on their functions: Montenegro’s
Archbishop, the Archbishop of Bar, Montenegro’s Mufti, Chairman and Members of the
State Council, President of the Grand Court, President of the Principal State Controller,
and three brigadiers appointed by the Prince. The President, Vice-Presidents and two
Secretaries of the Parliament were elected by secret vote. MPs enjoyed certain immunity.
1906
First Law Adopted in the Parliament
At the XXII sitting of the National Assembly held on 11 December 1906, the Law on Rules
of Procedure at the National Assembly was adopted, becoming the first law adopted by
the Parliament.
The first law on the state budget, which was “resolved” by the Parliament and confirmed
by the Prince, was adopted on 31 December 1906. With the adoption of this act, for the
first time in the history of Montenegro, the Parliament was given the right to control
state revenues and expenditures.
1907
First Party Formed
In the beginning, there was no political party organising in the Parliament. The People’s
Party was the first party ever formed in 1907 (Montenegrin: klubaši). In its policy document,
the party stood for improvements in all areas of state life: administration, economy,
education, finance, religion, and foreign affairs. Andrija Radović was one of the leaders
of the People’s Party. Although not formally a newspaper of the People’s Party, Narodna
misao from Nikšić promoted its ideas (first edition published on 16 September 1906).
Another party called the Right People’s
Party was formed in the Parliament shortly
thereafter (Montenegrin: pravaši). General
Mitar Martinović and Jovan Plamenac were
the leaders of this party.
The third political group called
Mijuškovićko-Jabučka Group, was
considered to be close to pravaši by
members of the People’s Party, because
of its connections to the King and the Royalty. Lazar Mijušković was one of its prominent
members. They considered themselves to be more modern than pravaši and tried to
organise the party towards political center.
Between the Two World Wars
In November 1918, the so called ″Podgorica Assembly” was held. At this session, a decision
was made to depose the Montenegrin dynasty of Petrović and to unify Montenegro
with Serbia into a joint state - the Kingdom of Yugoslavia - under the Serbian dynasty of
Karađorđević. With decisions made by the Podgorica Assembly, the state of Montenegro
ceased to exist and its people were deprived of its historical right to participate in the
process of deciding on unification of Yugoslav nations and states as an independent
subject equal to others.
With the foundation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes on 1 December 1918
(as of 5 October 1929, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia), Montenegro did not exist as a separate
administrative unit – instead it was a part of the Zeta territory, which later became
Zetska banovina (a region ruled by a Duke). In the Yugoslav Parliament, which counted
over 300 MPs, eight to ten MPs from different parties were delegated from Montenegro.
1946
First Elections after World War II,
Women Suffrage
and First Female Parliamentarians Elected
The first elections after the Second World War were held on 3 November 1946, resulting
in the formation of the Constitutional Assembly that adopted the Constitution of the
People’s Republic of Montenegro
and then continued its mandate
as the National Assembly until
the next election in 1950.
After the Second World War,
women gained the right to vote
in elections. The Constitution
of the Federative People’s
Republic of Yugoslavia, its first
constitution adopted in January
1946, prescribed that all citizens
over the age of 18, regardless of
their gender, nationality, race,
religion, education, and residence, were entitled to vote and hold office in all bodies of
state power. The voting right was established as universal, equal, and direct, as well as
to be exercised by means of a secret ballot. It was proclaimed that women were equal
to men in all areas of state, economic and social-political life.
In the elections held on 3 November of the same year, three women were elected to
serve as MPs in the Constitutional Assembly of Montenegro: Lidija Jovanović, Draginja
Vušović and Dobrila Ojdanić.
Parliament in Socialism
Between 1945 and 1990, the Montenegrin Parliament was a single-party parliament.
The parliamentary system established by the Constitution, as well as by constitutions
of the Federation and the other five republics had two forms: (1) from 1946 to 1974
– parliamentary political-representative-delegate system, and (2) from 1974 to 1992 –
parliamentary delegate system. Between 1963 and 1967, one half of MPs were elected
every second year (in 1965 and 1967).
1990
First Multi-Party Elections after the Second
World War
The first multi-party elections for the Parliament of Montenegro were held in December
1990. The League of Communists (the party would change its name later to the Democratic
Party of Socialists) won majority of votes, taking 83 out of 125 seats. Other parties that
entered the first multi-party parliament after the Second World War were: the Alliance
of Reform Forces of Yugoslavia with 17 mandates, the People’s Party with 13 mandates,
and the Democratic Coalition (an alliance of Muslim-Albanian parties) with 12 seats.
2006
Proclamation of independence of Montenegro
On 3 June 2006, the Montenegrin Parliament adopted the Decision on the Independence
of Montenegro, by which Montenegro renewed its independence after 88 years. This
historical decision was adopted following the democratic referendum, held on 21 May
2006, on which the citizens decided to renew the state independence.
2007
Current Constitution of Montenegro Adopted
Knjaževina-Kraljevina Crna Gora
Šako Petrović
1906-1907
Labud Gojnić
1907-1908
Marko Đukanović
1908-1909
1909-1910
1945-1990
Milo Dožić
1910-1911
1914-1916
Jovan Plamenac
1911-1913.
On 22 October 2007, the Constitutional Assembly of Montenegro proclaimed the supreme
legal act of the state after Montenegro gained independence in 2006. In accordance
with the current Constitution, legislative power is exercised by Parliament, executive by
Government, and judicial by courts, while the relations between the three branches of
power is based on balance and mutual control. The Constitution provides for democratic
and civil oversight of the Military and security services, as well as for the institute of
parliamentary oversight of Government via the instrument called parliamentary inquiry.
NOW AND THEN
MPs
Niko Miljanić
1944-1945
Filip Bajković
1962-1963
Petar Komnenić
1946-1949
Andro Mugoša
1963-1967
Đuro Čagorović
1949-1950
Veljko Milatović
1963-1969
Nikola Kovačević
1950-1953
Vidoje Žarković
1969-1974
Then
Law on Elections of People’s Representatives, Cetinje 1907.
„Article 9
As a Representative of the people only a Montenegrin citizen may be elected who:
1) has 30 years of age on the day of elections,
2) lives in Montenegro permanently, excluding those who work abroad on state
affairs,
3) enjoys all civil rights,
4) pays at least 15 crowns a year as taxes and fees to the state, or jointly fees
and taxes (Article 53 of the Constitution).“
Blažo Jovanović
1953-1962
Budislav Šoškić
1974-1979
Now
Law on Election of Councillors and MPs ″Official Gazette of the Republic of
Montenegro″, No. 4/98, 5/98, 17/98, 14/00, 18/00, 9/01, 41/02, 46/02, 45/04,
48/06, 56/06, 46/11 and 14/14, Podgorica
Then
Radivoje Brajović
1979-1982
Velisav Vuksanović
1986-1989
Risto Vukčević
1990-1994
Milutin Tanjević
1982-1983
Dragan Radonjić
1989-1990
Svetozar Marović
1994-2001
Omer Kurpejović Čedomir Đuranović Marko Matković
1983-1984
1984-1985
1985-1986
1990-2015
Vesna Perović
2001-2002
Filip Vujanović
2002-2003
Ranko Krivokapić
2003-
Article 11
“
“
The right to vote and be elected shall be enjoyed by every citizen of Montenegro
who has turned 18 years of age, with legal capacity and permanent residence
on the territory of Montenegro for at least two years prior to the Election Day. “
“No one shall trade the vote or reassign it to somebody else, but must
vote in person”.
he Order on Elections of People’s Representatives by the Chairman of the State
T
Council and the Minister Interior, 19 October (1 November 1905)
MP’s oath:
“I swear by the only God to be loyal to the Prince, to faithfully protect
the Constitution, and be guided in my work in the National Assembly
by the common good of the Prince and of the Homeland. As much as I
succeed in this, so help me God of this world and beyond.”
Article 63 of the Constitution
Then
Parliament exercised legislative power jointly with the Prince and, later, the King.
No law could be issued, annulled or amended, no tax established or changed,
no international debt or budget approved, without its consent. Parliament was
entitled to conduct inquiries with regard to administrative issues. The Government
was not dependent on Parliament, but on the Prince.
During socialism, Parliament was formally the supreme state organ. In reality,
however, the most important decisions were made by the Yugoslav and the
Montenegrin top leadership of the Communist party.
Now
In accordance with the Constitution of Montenegro adopted by the Constitutional
Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro on 19 October 2007, the state power is
separated into three branches according to the principle of separation of powers:
legislative, executive and judicial. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament,
executive by Government, and judicial by courts. The power is limited by the
Constitution and the law, while the relationship between powers is based on
balance and mutual control. According to the Constitution, Parliament adopts
the Constitution, laws, and other regulations; proclaims the state of war and the
state of emergency; adopts the budget, and performs other duties stipulated by
the Constitution or the law.
“
“I hope that the National Assembly will be cooperative with My Government
to fulfill these tasks, to rise even higher the reputation of our dear homeland
as to become stronger to fulfill tasks assigned to it by the history”.
The King Nikola, 24 October (6 November) 1906, at the First Regular Ceremonial
Sitting of the National Assembly
“All gentlemen from the side of the Prince’s Government, i.e. Ministers, are present,
all diplomats from foreign countries fully represented. MPs are dressed ceremonially.
Gallery and the lodges are full.”
Committees
„Article 10
The right to vote, in virtue of this Law, shall include the rights of citizens to: elect
and be elected; nominate and be nominated; decide on nominated candidates and
electoral lists; publicly pose questions to candidates; be timely, fully, truthfully and
objectively informed about programmes and activities of those who submitted
the electoral lists, as well as dispose of other rights provided for by this Law.
Order in Session
Authority
Then
At the first sitting of Parliament in 1906, field-marshal Savo Plamenac was elected
acting President as the oldest MP, while Dušan Gregović and Mihailo Ivanović
were elected temporary secretaries. MPs were divided into five sections. One
representative of each of these sections was elected to be a member of the Committee
for Verification of MP Mandates.
MPs were divided into three groups, each of them having a chairman and a secretary.
Each of these groups elected two or more members onto a committee tasked with
examining certain legislation. After considering the piece of legislation, the committee
was supposed to submit a report to Parliament. The President and Vice Presidents
were not elected in committees.
Now
Nowadays, for the same reason – rationality – smaller working groups are formed in
the Parliament. These groups are called committees. They are tasked with examining
and proposing legislation, conducting parliamentary oversight, and with performing
other tasks within the competence of the Parliament. They are divided into standing
and temporary committees, each of them having a chair and a certain number of MPs.
The composition of committees, including the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman,
as a rule, corresponds to the number of MPs each party has in the Parliament. In
addition, each committee has a secretary, who assists the chairman in conducting the
committee’s business.
Pursuant to the Law on Rules of Procedure at the National Assembly, the President
chaired the session and ensured that this law be respected and other laws related
to the work of the Parliament. The President was not allowed to participate in
debate, except to clarify the sense of issues under debate or to warn MPs not to
digress from the topic. When substituting the President, the Vice President would
assume all of the President’s authorities. The Parliament also had secretaries.
Secretaries were in charge of a number of tasks such as taking minutes, composing
protocols, conducting a roll call, reading proposed legislation, taking notes on
the manner and results of voting, and archiving Parliament’s acts. The President
tasked one of the secretaries with taking care of office work.
Now
The President is in charge of maintaining order at parliamentary sittings. MPs
and other participants in the debate are obliged to respect the dignity of MPs
and the Parliament and to address one another with respect. They are not to
use offensive expressions, reveal or comment on private lives of MPs and other
persons. In case of violation of order in a parliamentary sitting, there are several
measures that may be undertaken: a warning, ruling out of order, or exclusion
from the sitting. When they participate in the debate, the President and Vice
Presidents do so from their MP seats.
Record Keeping and Voting
Then
Official record keeping started with the first sitting of the Montenegrin National
Assembly in 1906. The minutes from sessions were published in the daily Glas
Crnogorca. As of 1908, verbatim notes were also published two years after the fact
(e.g. in 1908 for 1906).
MPs voted by standing up or sitting in the first Parliament. Those who opposed a
certain proposal were supposed to stand up. Roll calls were taken also when deciding
on the entire law or budget and in cases when the standing-sitting process caused
uncertainties with the results. Interrupting others while speaking, or any other
attempt to prevent freedom of speech, were prohibited. Arms were not allowed
inside Parliament, with the exception of certain military persons.
Now
In accordance with the current Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Montenegro,
minutes are taken of parliamentary sittings. They include basic information about
the business, submitted proposals and conclusions, as well as voting results. In
addition, there are video and audio recordings of discussions. Audio recordings
are converted into written notes and appended to the minutes, which are posted
on Parliament’s website. Minutes of committee meetings are also taken.
In most cases today, Parliament decides by open vote conducted via an electronic
voting system (by using identification cards and pressing a button “in favor”
“opposed” or “abstained”); by raising hands (only if the electronic system is out
of order); or by roll call (if the President decides so or at the request of ten MPs).
In some cases, Parliament decides by secret vote with ballot papers. It is MPs’
both the right and the duty to vote on any proposal on the floor of Parliament.
PARLIAMENT IN…
Zetski dom in Cetinje
The building of Zetski dom was not designed as
the seat of the Parliament. Its construction began
in 1884 intended as “grand building to accommodate
a theatre, museum and library”. The construction
was completed in 1896. Josip Slade, the architect,
designed the building in a neoclassical style. Skillful
craftsmen from Boka Kotorska, led by Jozo Terzovic
from Dalmatia, were engaged in construction.
The Montenegrin Parliament met in Zetski Dom until 1910.
Government House in Cetinje
In all likelihood, the Italian architect Cesare Augusto
Corradini constructed the Government House in
Cetinje. Works were supervised by Marko Đukanović,
the Chair of the State Council. The foundation stone
was laid on 7 June 1909, and the opening ceremony
took place on 15 August 1910 when Montenegro was
proclaimed the Kingdom. The Government House was
purposely designed for “the principality government
and other institutions in Cetinje”. At the time, the
Government House was the largest structure and the first building in Montenegro made of reinforced
concrete. Craftsmen from abroad constructed it in a neo-Baroque style. A large clock is positioned
on the front side, with figures of a man (Day) and a woman (Night) beside, following the pattern of
the Medicis’ Tomb in Florence made by Michelangelo. Figures of the Goddesses Flora and Minerva
are positioned under the clock.
Zetska banovina building in Cetinje
This building was designed by a Russian architect Nikola
Kirsanov in 1932.
The fourth sitting of the Montenegrin Anti-Fascist
Parliament of National Liberation (CASNO) was held in
Cetinje from 15-17 April 1945 in the building of Zetska
banovina.
Nowadays, the first sitting of regular sessions is held in
Cetinje in the renovated plenary hall of Zetska Banovina.
Hotel Crna Gora in Podgorica
In one of the halls of the Hotel Crna Gora, which was arranged and adapted for the needs of the
National Assembly, the first session of the Republic Council of the newly elected National Assembly
was held on 15 December 1953.
The Building of the Parliament of the Social Republic
of Montenegro in Podgorica
The building of the Parliament of the Socialist
Republic of Montenegro was designed by architect
Ivan Zdravković. The construction works were
finished in 1954. It was made in the socialistrealism architectural style. The Parliament still
sits in this building.