Montenegro Parliament adopts constitutional amendments for judiciary and central bank

constitutional amendments Montenegro judicial reform European integration Central Bank of Montenegro

The Parliament of Montenegro has adopted five constitutional amendments concerning the judiciary, the prosecution, and the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG). The amendments passed with 68 votes, receiving support from both the ruling coalition and most opposition parties, though the Democratic People's Party (DNP) boycotted the session.

A key component of the reform is the constitutional guarantee of the Central Bank's independence, aligning the country with the European Union's economic and monetary union requirements. This move is intended to facilitate the closing of negotiation chapters, specifically Chapter 23 regarding the judiciary and Chapter 17 regarding economic and monetary union.

While proponents view the consensus as a sign of political maturity and readiness for EU integration, critics have raised concerns. Some opposition members expressed reservations regarding the increased authority granted to the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General without sufficient oversight. The DNP leader, Milan Knežević, criticized the amendments as being dictated by Brussels, arguing they undermine national sovereignty.