Politics of Montenegro

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The Politics of Montenegro (

flawed democracy" in 2022.[1]

Constitution

The current Constitution of Montenegro was ratified and adopted by the

on 19 October 2007. The Constitution was officially proclaimed as the Constitution of Montenegro on 22 October 2007. This Constitution replaced the Constitution of 1992.

The new Constitution defines Montenegro as a civic, democratic and environmentally friendly country with social justice, established by the sovereign rights of its government.

Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović Europe Now! 20 May 2023
Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić Europe Now! 31 October 2023
President of the Parliament Andrija Mandić New Serb Democracy 30 October 2023

Executive branch

The Government of Montenegro (Влада Републике Црне Горе, Vlada Republike Crne Gore) comprises the prime minister, the deputy prime ministers as well as ministers. Milojko Spajić is the Prime Minister of Montenegro and head of the Government, since 31 October 2023. The 44nd composition of the Government of Montenegro.

President

The Blue Palace in Cetinje, the seat of the President of Montenegro

The President of Montenegro is elected for a period of five years through direct and secret ballots. The President:

  • Represents Montenegro in the country and abroad
  • Promulgates laws
  • Calls for Parliamentary elections
  • Proposes to the Parliament a candidate for Prime Minister, as well as for the president and justices of the Constitutional Court
  • Proposes the holding of a referendum
  • Grants pardons
  • Confers honors and decorations

Government

The Government of Montenegro building in Podgorica

The Government of Montenegro is appointed by majority vote of the Parliament. The Government:

  • Formulates and conducts foreign policy
  • Adopts decrees and other regulations
  • Implements laws
  • Concludes international treaties
  • Establishes the organization and the mode of operation of the government administration
  • Performs other duties as laid down in the Constitution

Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Montenegro directs the work of the Government, and submits to the Parliament the Government's Program including a list of proposed ministers. The resignation of the Prime Minister will cause the fall of the Government.

Legislative branch

The House of the Assembly in Podgorica, seat of the Parliament

The Parliament of Montenegro (

parties must work with each other to form coalition governments
.

The Assembly passes all laws in Montenegro, ratifies international treaties, appoints the Prime Minister, ministers, and justices of all courts, adopts the budget and performs other duties as established by the Constitution. The Parliament can pass a vote of no-confidence on the Government by a majority of the members. One deputy is elected per 6,000 voters, which in turn results in a reduction of total number of deputies in the Assembly of Montenegro.

Political parties and elections

2023 Parliamentary election

SCG–DSS–PZPV)
3,6301.200−1
Croatian Civic Initiative2,2260.741+1
Movement for Changes1,9930.660−5
Yes, We Can!1,4440.480New
Total302,416100.00810
Valid votes302,41699.05
Invalid/blank votes2,8900.95
Total votes305,306100.00
Registered voters/turnout542,46856.28
Source: RTC

2020 Parliamentary election

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Democratic Party of Socialists 143,515 35.06 30 –6
For the Future of Montenegro 133,261 32.55 27 +6
Peace is Our Nation 51,298 12.53 10 –2
In Black and White 22,679 5.54 4 +2
Social Democrats 16,769 4.10 3 +1
Bosniak PartyM 16,279 3.98 3 +1
Social Democratic Party 12,835 3.14 2 –2
Albanian ListM 6,488 1.58 1 0
Albanian CoalitionM 4,675 1.14 1 +1
Croatian Civic InitiativeM 1,106 0.27 0 –1
Croatian Reform Party
M
496 0.12 0 New
Invalid/blank votes 4,500 2.09
Total 413,894 100 81 0
Registered voters/turnout 540,026 76.64
M denotes the national minority lists, for which the 3% threshold does not apply.

Recent developments

In April 2018, Milo Djukanovic, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), won Montenegro’s presidential election. The veteran politician had served as Prime Minister six times and as President once before.[2]

In September 2020, President Milo Djukanovic’s Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) narrowly lost the

Dritan Abazovic.[5]

In March 2023, Jakov Milatovic, a pro-western candidate of the Europe Now movement, won the presidential election run-off over incumbent Milo Djukanovic to succeed him as the next President of Montenegro.[6]

On 31 October 2023, Milojko Spajic of the Europe Now Movement became Montenegro's new prime minister, leading a coalition of both pro-European and pro-Serb parties.[7]

Judicial branch

Montenegro follows the principle of division of powers. Its

legislative, and executive
branches are independent of each other. The judiciary is autonomous and independent. The rulings of the courts must be in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Montenegro. Appointment to a judiciary position is permanent.

With regard to the legal profession, it is important to note that Montenegro officially became a sovereign state in 2006. According to a 2015 source, the country has approximately 800 registered attorneys and the bar association has existed for over a century.[8] Although the Bar Association of Montenegro [Advokatska Komora Crne Gore] maintains records, there is no indication as to how demographic groups, such as women, have fared in the legal field.

Subdivisions

Montenegro is divided in 25 municipalities.

Symbols

A new official

Axis Powers
on 13 July 1941.

In 2004, the Montenegrin legislature selected a popular Montenegrin folk song, "Oh the Bright Dawn of May", as the national anthem. Montenegro's official anthem during the reign of King Nikola was Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori (To our beautiful Montenegro).

References

  1. ^ "Democracy Index 2022: Frontline democracy and the battle for Ukraine" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  2. ^ "Djukanovic Wins Montenegro's Presidential Election". Balkan Insight. 15 April 2018.
  3. ^ Gadzo, Mersiha. "Bosniaks in Montenegro live in 'fear, anxiety' following election". www.aljazeera.com.
  4. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Montenegro's government toppled in no-confidence vote | DW | 05.02.2022". DW.COM.
  5. ^ Vasiljevic, Stevo (28 April 2022). "Montenegro approves new minority government focused on joining EU". Reuters.
  6. ^ "Milatovic declares victory in Montenegro presidential elections". France 24. 2 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Montenegro appoints predominantly pro-EU new government". Reuters. 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  8. ^ "Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in Montenegro" (PDF). Latham & Watkins LLP. September 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2020.

External links