Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BELGRADE1774
2006-10-27 14:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
MONTENEGRO: PARLIAMENT PASSES LAW ON ADOPTION OF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBW #1774 3001414 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 271414Z OCT 06 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9649 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001774
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO: PARLIAMENT PASSES LAW ON ADOPTION OF
NEW CONSTITUTION
This is an Embassy Podgorica cable. It has not been
cleared with Embassy Belgrade.
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001774
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO: PARLIAMENT PASSES LAW ON ADOPTION OF
NEW CONSTITUTION
This is an Embassy Podgorica cable. It has not been
cleared with Embassy Belgrade.
¶1. (U) On October 26, the Parliament of Montenegro passed
the law specifying the procedure by which the new
Constitution will be adopted. The new constitution will
first be put to a vote in parliament. If two-thirds of
the MPs (54 of 81) vote affirmatively, the Constitution
is adopted without need for further action. If between
half and two-thirds of the MPs vote for the draft, a
public referendum will be required. Post sought to
confirm the parameters for a possible referendum with
Parliamentary authorities, who were unable to state
specifics as to required voter turn-out, or the
percentage of valid votes needed for adoption. No
deadline for adoption of the new Constitution has been
specified.
¶2. (U) The law does specify that the Parliament will form
a sixteen member board that will be formally charged with
drafting the constitution. (Note: Several competing
drafts will likely be introduced, from the government and
from opposition patries. End note.) The Board, to be
headed by Speaker Ranko Krivkapic, will have a party
composition reflective of the parliament as a whole.
¶3. (U) The law was adopted with 44 votes in favor (41
from the ruling coaltion). The opposition, objecting
that certain procedural matters had not been settled in
advance of considering the draft law, walked out before
the vote. However, the opposition's public statements
before the October 26 session indicate general support
for the law and its requirement of a two-third's vote to
adopt the constitution. With the opposition divided, on
constitutional specifics (especially on whether to
include national languages and religions) and other
issues, the government is likely hoping to get the votes
of at least 54 members and avoid having to call a
referendum (and thus avoid addressing the question of
under what rules the referendum would be conducted).
POLT