Petnjica faces political deadlock as local assembly sessions fail

The municipality of Petnjica is facing a political deadlock as the local assembly has failed to hold its 27th regular session for the tenth consecutive time. Originally scheduled for July 6, the session has been repeatedly postponed due to a lack of quorum. The most recent attempt on September 10 also failed.

Opposition members suggest the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), which holds a formal majority following the 2021 local elections, no longer possesses the necessary numbers to govern effectively. They point to the inability to pass critical items, such as the municipality's final budget account, as evidence of a governance crisis.

In response to the prolonged stalemate, questions have been raised regarding whether the Ministry of Public Administration or the Government of Montenegro should intervene. Potential legal consequences include the possible dissolution of the Assembly and the appointment of a commissioner committee. While opposition figures cite stalled development projects, Petnjica Mayor Samir Agović has characterized the situation as a routine pause caused by summer holidays, maintaining that the local administration continues to function without debt or significant issues.