The Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Action Plan for Chapter 23 are good and ambitious documents, but frequent amendments to the law and the lack of verdicts in high-level corruption cases show that there are still no visible systemic effects that would strengthen the anti-corruption culture and public trust in institutions.
This was stated at the conference of the Monitoring Center (CeMI) "Milestones in the Fight against Corruption", at which the Report on the Implementation of Anti-Corruption Policies and Reforms in Montenegro for the Period 2024–2025 was presented.
Head of the Public Policy Research Department at CeMi, Nemanja Stankov, said that "an ambitious plan was adopted in the previous period through the Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Action Plan for Chapter 23, but that a large number of key legal solutions are still pending."
"This particularly applies to the new law on the prevention of corruption and the first law on the protection of whistleblowers," Stankov said.
He reminded that the Law on Financing Political Entities and Election Campaigns is the only one that has been amended, but that it is not fully aligned with the recommendations of GRECO and ODIHR, which is also confirmed by the European Commission.
Stankov said that Montenegro will likely complete the planned legislative processes, but that it would be unrealistic to expect that the mere adoption of the law by the end of next year will lead to real and measurable changes in the anti-corruption system.
He also warned about the problem of frequent amendments to laws in expedited procedures, stating that the Law on the Prevention of Corruption was adopted in June last year, and that work on its new version began only five months later.
"Such a practice calls into question the quality of legislative solutions and their long-term implementation," said Stankov.
Speaking about the Anti-Corruption Agency (AKS), Stankov stated that quantitative progress is visible in the work of the Agency, but that it does not result in strengthening compliance with legal obligations.
He also questioned the long-term failure to appoint a full-time director of ASK, assessing that legal solutions allow for an extended acting position, which weakens the institutional stability of the Agency.
"Court proceedings in high-level corruption cases, which often end in acquittals or lengthy trials, significantly affect the public's negative perception of the functioning of the judiciary," Stankov said.
"This does not necessarily speak about the quality of the judiciary, but it clearly affects citizens' trust in the system," Stankov pointed out.
When it comes to the National Anti-Corruption Council, Stankov stressed that it is necessary to open its work to the public.
The President of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Jevto Eraković, said that Montenegro's entry into the European Union remains the programmatic goal of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), but strengthening domestic institutions and consistent, non-selective implementation of the law is an even more important task for the state.
He emphasized that DPS, as before, will provide support to all legal solutions and reform processes leading to Montenegro's membership in the European Union.
"However, it is crucial that, in parallel with this process, we strengthen our institutions and demonstrate that laws apply equally to everyone, without exceptions," said Eraković.
According to him, it is precisely institutional strength and non-selectivity in action that represent the basis of a functional state and a prerequisite for real, not just formal, reform steps.
"This is what brings good to Montenegro, regardless of the dynamics of European integration," concluded Eraković.
He assessed that the formation of new special courts and institutions in Montenegro is often motivated by political interests, rather than the real need to strengthen the rule of law.
"The purpose of inventing new institutions is often to make them a political bludgeon in the hands of those who want to achieve certain goals. We would be the first to support their formation if they were truly independent and free from political influence," said Eraković.
According to him, Montenegro can only move forward when the judiciary and prosecution are freed from political pressure.
Member of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Jevrosima Pejović, said that the fight against corruption requires the construction of a functional system that provides citizens with dignity and trust in institutions.
"The task of the state is not only to sanction corruption, but to build a system that enables freedom of choice without pressure and fear, and good laws are, above all, a mechanism for protecting the dignity of both citizens and decision-makers," said Pejović.
She criticized the practice of hastily passing laws without substantive dialogue, recalling the experience with the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, which, she stated, was clear to have serious shortcomings even at the time of adoption.
Referring to the judiciary, Pejović warned that due to individual cases of corruption, a large number of judges and prosecutors who perform their jobs honorably and professionally are often marginalized, which further undermines citizens' trust in institutions.
"Our task is not to a priori doubt all judges, but to identify the weak points of the system and responsible individuals," Pejović emphasized.
Member of the Anti-Corruption Committee Maja Vučelić said that Montenegro faces the most demanding phase in the area of the rule of law in the coming period, taking into account the closure of chapters 23 and 24, which represent the foundation of the European integration process.
"Montenegro has entered a phase in which the fight against corruption is not limited to reports, but rather involves concrete investigations and the work of independent institutions. Now, valid, final verdicts are rightly expected," Vučelić pointed out.
She emphasized that full cooperation between all three branches of government - legislative, executive and judicial - is necessary in order to create a real atmosphere of the rule of law.
"The Parliament must pass quality laws, the Government must provide technical and logistical conditions for the work of the judiciary, and the judicial branch must demonstrate responsibility, efficiency and vision," said Vučelić, recalling that court proceedings are often delayed due to the lack of basic technical conditions.
She said that she is convinced that Montenegro can fulfill its obligations from the European agenda, but that this process must not be burdened by identity and political issues that divert focus from essential reforms.
"Our task is clear - the rule of law must become a reality, not just a political phrase," concluded Vučelić.
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