Montenegro launches 30‑day constitutional reform debate as EU accession push intensifies

Montenegrin parliamentary speaker Andrija Mandić announced a 30‑day public discussion on proposed constitutional amendments aimed at separating powers of the prosecutor’s office, judiciary and central bank, a key EU requirement. He said experts will evaluate the drafts and that the debate will help decide whether to adopt the proposals as presented or modify them. Mandić also noted that appointments of missing judges to the Constitutional Court, Fiscal and Judicial Councils will be completed by the end of July, and praised the recent cooperation agreement between the ruling coalition and the opposition, supported by the European Commission.

The civil group GI 21. maj criticised Mandić’s recent interview on RTCG, accusing him of “spreading falsehoods and falsifying historical facts” about the 1918 Podgorica Assembly and the Chetnik movement during World II. The group said the interview failed to meet professional journalistic standards.

Justice Minister Bojan Božović reiterated that Montenegro has not abandoned the extradition request for former president Svetozar Marović and that reforms of the justice system, anti‑organized‑crime measures and asset‑seizure laws are proceeding on schedule. He expressed optimism that the country is already being viewed as an EU member state by partners.

Together, these statements reflect Montenegro’s intensified effort to meet EU accession criteria through constitutional and judicial reforms while facing domestic political criticism.