Mojkovac Mayor Vesko Delić Convicted, Prompting Montenegro Ministry Oversight

Vesko Delić, the president of the municipality of Mojkovac in Montenegro, was found guilty of abuse of office by the Appellate Court, confirming a prior verdict of the Higher Court in Podgorica. He received a six‑month conditional prison sentence that will not be enforced if he commits no new crime within two years. Under the Law on Local Self‑Government, a conviction that renders a mayor unfit automatically terminates his mandate.

Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj announced that the Ministry has opened an administrative oversight procedure over the work of the Municipal Assembly of Mojkovac. The oversight aims to ensure the assembly correctly applies the provisions that require it to declare the termination of Delić’s mandate, appoint an interim deputy, and organise elections for a new mayor within 30 days. If the assembly fails to act, the central government may appoint a commissioner.

Legal experts note that the Ministry’s role is limited to monitoring and issuing guidance; the actual removal of the mayor depends on the political will of the local governing majority. The case highlights the tension between local autonomy and statutory mechanisms for enforcing accountability in Montenegro’s local government.