He believes that it is illogical that during the work of the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform all these years, there has been no progress on this topic, and that, after the committee "shut down", several parties suddenly present their proposal for open lists.
"Every step forward should be welcomed. Specifically, the proposal coming from colleagues from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) is a form of semi-open lists, which in practice leaves the key power in the hands of the party, and only symbolic power to the citizens. If there is no possibility for individual candidacies, as well as the possibility for citizens to specifically choose by name and surname in local elections who will be their mayor, then we have not made much progress," Janović believes.
With the introduction of open lists, the deputy ceases to be just a number
When he decided to leave the DPS and continue his political career as an independent MP, Janović emphasized that it was necessary to end partitocracy in Montenegrin politics and escape from the clutches of party oligarchs.
When asked if open lists could contribute to this, he says that he sincerely believes that open lists are the only way for politicians to start functioning with more personal responsibility and not hide behind parties.
"I am aware that most parties, mainly the largest ones, are against the proposal for completely open lists because they preserve their party monopolies at both the local and state levels, as well as the money they receive from the state. Therefore, it is clear that open lists are a direct threat to a system in which advancement is based on obedience, not on results and reputation among citizens," says Analitika's interlocutor.
And that's why, he says, resistance is expected.
"It will come from all those structures that survive thanks to strict hierarchy and process control. Party oligarchs are naturally afraid of a recognizable and autonomous individual who has direct support from the base. By introducing open lists, an MP ceases to be just a number who votes according to instructions and becomes a representative of citizens in the full sense of the word. And this is the transformation that Montenegro desperately needs in order to finally transform from a party state into a democratic society," Janović is clear.
I don't run away from responsibility.
When asked how he sees his future political position and whether he is considering forming a party before the next parliamentary elections, Janović points out that his current priority is the fight for the introduction of open lists, because he believes that this is a prerequisite for any recovery of the system.
"Only when personal credibility becomes more important than the party seal will we know that we have begun a partitocracy. My future position depends on how much we succeed in freeing institutions from bare party interest. If that path implies formalizing a new political force that will be based on expertise and integrity, and not on the mere counting of safe votes - I am ready to think about that too. I do not run away from responsibility, but I do not want to be just another number in an overbooked political register without a clear change in the governance model. Montenegro does not need another party that will serve as a service for recruiting members, but rather a political platform that will return power to those to whom it belongs - the citizens," our interlocutor emphasizes.
Part of the public sees his exit from the DPS as a principled move, while others believe it is a political maneuver in response to a new shift in power on the Montenegrin political scene. Janović responds that his exit from the party is a consequence of his desire to remain consistent with the principles he has advocated throughout his career.
"I have built and plan to build credibility exclusively through concrete proposals, results and defense of the public interest. Citizens are the best judges and, I believe, they will easily recognize the difference between maneuvers and principles," says Janović.
Citizens are fed up with constantly shifting "historical dates"
During the recent visit of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, the public was sent a message that Montenegro is closer than ever to EU membership. At the same time, her meetings with Andrija Mandić and Marko Kovačević raised the question of the political consistency of the European course. Janović has no doubt that Commissioner Kos, as well as her colleagues from the European Commission, are well informed about the situation in Montenegro.
However, he adds, diplomacy is a skill of dialogue that involves meetings with all institutional actors, regardless of their ideological starting points.
"It is an integral part of the political process. The key question is to what extent the existence of dual agendas can be tolerated by those who vote for European laws in the morning, and in the evening celebrate and affirm policies that are in direct contradiction with the civic nature of Montenegro. Ultimately, the result is not measured only by the number of adopted papers, but by whether we are truly ready to live those values," the independent MP said.
He also points out that it is now obvious that the EU wants Montenegro to become part of it more than individuals from the ruling majority do. He sees the closing of all negotiation chapters by the end of the year as an extremely ambitious goal and something that looks more like a hurdle race than a marathon of reforms.
"If this really happens, regardless of the fact that it will be the least of the merits of this ruling majority, it would be great news for everyone in Montenegro. But, if it is not fulfilled, the responsibility must lie with the Government because they are the ones who set the bar. Sometimes the line between optimism and political marketing is thin, and our citizens are fed up with "historical dates" that are constantly shifting," says Janović.
A worrying manner of conducting state affairs
When reminded that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić told Marta Kos in a conversation that work is underway to harmonize recently adopted laws in the field of security with European standards, Analitika's interlocutor says that the fact that the laws were adopted first and only then began their harmonization with European standards speaks of a worrying manner in which state affairs are conducted.
"The key problem is not only in the procedure and the lack of proper communication during the drafting of laws, but in some solutions that, contrary to European standards, open the door to party influence in the selection of police personnel. Unfortunately, it has happened before that we have inconsistencies with EU laws, while the Government pretends that everything is fine. If you adopt laws hastily, knowing that a certain law is flawed, you are not accelerating the path to the EU - you are actually creating new obstacles that we will have to jump over again tomorrow. This is not only a question of professionalism, but also of responsibility towards citizens who deserve laws that protect them," Janović stated.
Parliament must not become a training ground for government monologues.
He adds that he partially understands his colleagues from the opposition who left the parliamentary committees in disagreement with the adoption of these laws because, as he says, sometimes leaving the chamber is the only remaining way to divert public attention when dialogue becomes impossible.
"However, as an independent MP, I believe that every empty seat is an undefended space that the government uses to push bad solutions without resistance or criticism. Parliament must not become a training ground for the government's monologues. That is why I am not a supporter of boycotts, especially boycotts without a strategy and purpose," says Janović.
He emphasizes that cooperation, when it comes to topics that lead towards our common goal and our country's membership in the EU, must exist.
"Of course, the lack of dialogue with the opposition is the responsibility of those in power, and this government has only perfected arrogant and arrogant behavior in many segments. But I do not believe that the answer is to leave the committee, but rather a vision and strategy for how to defeat this government in the next parliamentary elections," says Analitika's interlocutor.
The government will hold on until next year's elections, they are bound by personal interests
Despite all the developments on the political scene in recent months, Janović does not see early elections as a realistic possibility.
"Regardless of the constant instability within the government, I expect that this government will last until next year's elections. And not only because it is desirable to avoid early elections in anticipation of the final accession negotiations, but above all because they are bound by personal interests. So, we are witnessing obvious differences within the government, but also their willingness to suppress all differences for the sake of preserving institutional positions. However, the illusion of stability that the government is constantly trying to build on the mere preservation of the number of mandates, instead of on state priorities, is doomed to failure," Janović is categorical.
He also reminds us that it often seems like it's the first time the EU wants to admit a country as a member, and that, judging by some of the moves of the current majority, parts of its government are doing everything they can to prevent that from happening. That's why, he adds, it's hard to believe that those who fundamentally disagree about the basic directions of this country can honestly lead you to a common European future.
"This majority finds itself in a gap between what is being communicated to foreign diplomats in Brussels and what is being concretely implemented on the ground in Montenegro. To become part of the European family, you must strengthen institutions and the rule of law, and not use them as convenient rhetoric for external use. Without a real consensus on what kind of Montenegro we want, the integration process itself remains without its most important component - the essential transformation of society," Janović is clear.
Politics without a value backbone is just a market, I don't participate in that.
Asked, in the context of future political alliances, whether there are actors on the political scene with whom he would not enter a coalition at any cost, Analitika's interlocutor replied that he believes that in his political engagement so far he has been very open on this issue.
"The value line in politics is not a wall that separates you from others, but a compass that shows in which direction you want Montenegro to develop. My line is naturally defined by the principles of a civil, secular and modern society. For me, these are priorities - the foundations on which stability and mutual trust are built, not topics that are traded depending on the election result," Janović emphasizes.
He believes that political alliances must make sense beyond the simple mathematics of the number of seats.
"They must be based on a clear vision of a sovereign and Euro-Atlantic Montenegro in which institutions are stronger than any individual or party interest. Where these foundations are questioned, or where there is a sense of deviation from the civic concept of the state, that is where the space for cooperation ends for me. I believe that Montenegro today does not need alliances that are made just to divide functions, but cooperation that is based on a common goal - to be an orderly and modern country. Politics without a value backbone is just an ordinary market, and I do not participate in that," says Janović.
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