Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović announced at a press conference today that he will return the VAT Law and the Excise Law to the Parliament for reconsideration.
“The rise in prices is the biggest issue facing citizens. My priority is to protect citizens from further price increases. Therefore, I am returning the VAT Law and the Excise Law, which increase VAT and excises, back to Parliament for re-evaluation,” he said.
He emphasized that it has become a norm for such laws to pass without public debate, consultations with institutions, and recommendations from the Social Council.
“To date, out of 10 adopted laws, only two have reached the President’s office. You can only conclude who and how is handling such important state matters,” Milatović stressed.
He also noted that the government is introducing new levies that impact the tourism industry and directly threaten state-owned ‘Plantaze’ and other wine producers due to excise taxes on still wines.
Milatović added that he has decided to return the amendments to the Law on Mandatory Social Insurance because lawmakers will be directly responsible for reducing future pensions and jeopardizing the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund.
“It is particularly concerning that 5.5 percent of gross wages is taken from workers and the Fund and redirected to large capital, which has record profits. For whose benefit is the government doing this? I expect lawmakers to act in the interest of citizens,” Milatović emphasized.
He expects the Parliament will not re-adopt the laws he is returning.
“In the name of the citizens, I appeal to lawmakers to stop being merely ‘yes men.’ Everyone understands my constitutional powers, and I have always acted within the Constitution and the Law,” he said, adding that he will sign the remaining laws.
“I urge lawmakers not to increase prices and complicate future pensions by passing these laws,” Milatović concluded.
