Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro’s tragedy lies in the fact that the decision-making positions in the system are not reserved for the most capable, but often only for the most obedient, and this practice must stop, said President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic.

Responding to questions from the Fokus portal and Montenegrin associations and clubs from the United States and Europe, Milatovic said that, despite the changes that were expected, party affiliation remains the main reference for the public sector recruitment.

“This only continued the poor practice of the former authorities and reinforced the sense of injustice that drives young and educated people to leave the country. Between the two population censuses, almost 100,000 people left, which is every sixth citizen of Montenegro, and this is a serious warning that the country is losing its future”, Milatovic said in an interview with the Fokus portal.

Milatovic explained that he is a vocal advocate of introducing open lists, so that every vote would count and politics would finally return to the citizens, rather that party headquarters, adding that he is ready to initiate a referendum on the issue.

Asked about the accountability of the minister who, after the arrest of innocent Turkish citizens, issued wrong information, as well as to comment on the Government’s decision suspend the visa-free regime with Turkey due to the conflict involving Azerbaijani nationals, Milatovic recalled that after the incident in Podgorica, he said that there must be no place for collective guilt or stigmatization of an entire nation.

“I think that the Government has made, I would say, a hastily decision to introduce visas for Turkish citizens, the primarily economic consequences of which we are already feeling”, said Milatovic.

When asked if he thinks that the President of Montenegro should have a greater institutional influence over the work of the Parliament, especially in situations where the country is blocked and institutions are not functioning, he replied that the legitimacy of the President of the country is the highest because he is elected directly.

“Nevertheless, the constitutional powers of the President of Montenegro are not in line with the legitimacy given to him by the direct election”, Milatovic pointed out, adding that founding a party remains an option for him.

He stressed that at this moment his priority is to do everything to help his country develop into a democratic, prosperous and European state.

“This means that I will not run away from responsibility if the political processes in the country demand it from me”, added Milatovic.