EU on Amended Montenegrin Constitution: Regime and Opposition Have Shown Political Maturity

Parliament of Montenegro (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)

The European Union has commended the adoption of the first amendments to the Constitution of Montenegro in 13 years, stating that both the parliamentary majority and the opposition have demonstrated political maturity and that the changes represent a significant step towards concluding negotiations on the country’s EU membership.

Johann Sattler, the chief of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, has said that the constitutional amendments are a strong step toward strengthening the independence of the country’s judiciary but underscored that local political actors must continue to collaborate on effecting reforms, including hiring personnel for state institutions and adopting regulations enabling the implementation of the new constitutional solutions.

Sattler issued a similar message to Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, making it clear that adopting the amendments marks progress on the country’s European path but that the key step will be their full and consistent implementation.

The Parliament of Montenegro greenlit amendments to the Constitution on Aug. 24, thereby altering the constitutional position, composition and election process of the judicial and prosecutorial councils, reducing the direct influence of the executive branch of government on the judiciary and additionally guaranteeing the independence of the Central Bank of Montenegro.

The amendments were supported by 68 out of 81 MPs. No one abstained or voted against the proposal thanks to an agreement reached between the regime and majority of the opposition via mediation by the EU Delegation. During the preceding public debate, part of the public voiced objections to certain solutions, particularly the division of authority within the judiciary.