Eurasia Press & News
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, a minor government partner, says the current head of state, Filip Vujanovic, has no right to run as president and appealed to the Constitutional Court.The SDP on Thursday submitted an appeal to the Constitutional Court, claiming that Vujanovic does not have the right to be head of the state once again.
The State Electoral Commission, DIK, meanwhile on Wednesday confirmed the presidential candidacy of Vujanovic, who has since gathered over 13,000 signatures of support.
“The State Electoral Commission determined that the proposal was submitted in line with the law on the election of president of Montenegro,” the DIK stated.
The SDP thinks differently.
“Vujanovic has already served two terms as president over the last 10 years, and, according to the constitution, has no right to a third term,” Borisav Banovic, of the SDP, said.
While delivering the appeal to the court, he said he expected it to seriously consider their argumentation.
Vujanovic won the two previous presidential elections, in 2003 and in 2008, and the 2007 constitution stipulates that the same head of state can be elected only twice.
But the main ruling party, the Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, says that since the country only regained its independence in 2006, Vujanovic is only now completing his first full term as President of an independent country.
So far, the DIK has confirmed only Vujanovic’s candidacy. The other two potential candidates, Miodrag Lekic, leader of the opposition Democratic Front, and Rade Bojovic, head of the political club Righteous Montenegro, are still trying to pass the threshold of over 7,500 signatures.
