Politics of Montenegro

Politics of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Политика Црне Горе, Tr. Politika Crne Gore) takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Montenegro is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Montenegro. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Montenegro a "hybrid regime" in 2019.[1]

Montenegro
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Montenegro
Constitution

Constitution

The current Constitution of Montenegro was ratified and adopted by the Constitutional Parliament of Montenegro on 19 October 2007. The Constitution was officially proclaimed as the Constitution of Montenegro on 22 October 2007. This Constitution replaced the Constitution of 1992.

The new Constitution defines Montenegro as a civic, democratic and environmentally friendly country with social justice, established by the sovereign rights of its government.

Executive branch
Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Milo Đukanović Democratic Party of Socialists 20 May 2018
Prime Minister Duško Marković Democratic Party of Socialists 28 November 2016

The Government of Montenegro (Влада Републике Црне Горе, Vlada Republike Crne Gore) comprises the prime minister, the deputy prime ministers as well as ministers. Duško Marković is the Prime Minister of Montenegro and head of the Government. The ruling entity in Montenegro is the Coalition for a European Montenegro, headed by Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS) (Демократска Партија Социјалиста Црне Горе).

President

The President of Montenegro is elected for a period of five years through direct and secret ballots. The President:

  • Represents Montenegro in the country and abroad
  • Promulgates laws
  • Calls for Parliamentary elections
  • Proposes to the Parliament a candidate for Prime Minister, as well as for the president and justices of the Constitutional Court
  • Proposes the holding of a referendum
  • Grants pardons
  • Confers honors and decorations

Government

The Government of Montenegro is appointed by majority vote of the Parliament. The Government:

  • Formulates and conducts foreign policy
  • Adopts decrees and other regulations
  • Implements laws
  • Concludes international treaties
  • Establishes the organization and the mode of operation of the government administration
  • Performs other duties as laid down in the Constitution

Prime minister

The Prime Minister of Montenegro directs the work of the Government, and submits to the Parliament the Government's Program including a list of proposed ministers. The resignation of the Prime Minister will cause the fall of the Government.

Legislative branch

The Parliament of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Скупштина Црне Горе, Skupština Crne Gore) is the legislature of Montenegro. The Parliament currently has 81 members, each elected for a four-year term. Montenegro has a multi-party system, with numerous parties in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.

The Assembly passes all laws in Montenegro, ratifies international treaties, appoints the Prime Minister, ministers, and justices of all courts, adopts the budget and performs other duties as established by the Constitution. The Parliament can pass a vote of no-confidence on the Government by a majority of the members. One deputy is elected per 6,000 voters, which in turn results in a reduction of total number of deputies in the Assembly of Montenegro.

Political parties and elections
For other political parties, see List of political parties in Montenegro. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Montenegro.

2016 Parliamentary election
Party Votes % Seats +/–
Democratic Party of Socialists158,49041.4136+3
Democratic Front77,78420.3218–2
Key Coalition42,29511.0590
Democratic Montenegro38,32710.018New
Social Democratic Party20,0115.234–2
Social Democrats12,4723.262New
Bosniak Party12,0893.162–1
Positive Montenegro5,0621.320–7
Albanians Decisively4,8541.2710
Albanian Coalition3,3940.890-1
Croatian Civic Initiative1,8010.4710
Democratic Alliance of Albanians1,5420.400New
Serb Party1,2010.310New
Bosniak Democratic Community in Montenegro1,1400.300New
Alternative Montenegro8780.230New
Party of Serb Radicals6930.1800
Party of Pensioners, Disabled and Social Justice6720.1800
Invalid/blank votes5,513–––
Total388,220100810
Registered voters/turnout528,81773.41––
Source: DIK

2018 Presidential elections
Candidate Party Votes %
Milo ĐukanovićDemocratic Party of Socialists180,27453.90
Mladen BojanićIndependent111,71133.40
Draginja VuksanovićSocial Democratic Party27,4418.20
Marko MilačićTrue Montenegro9,4052.81
Hazbija KalačJustice and Reconciliation Party2,6770.80
Vasilije MiličkovićIndependent1,5930.48
Dobrilo DedeićSerb Coalition1,3630.41
Invalid/blank votes5,998–
Total340,462100
Registered voters/turnout532,59963.92
Source: DIK

Judicial branch

Montenegro follows the principle of division of powers. Its judicial, legislative, and executive branches are independent of each other. The judiciary is autonomous and independent. The rulings of the courts must be in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Montenegro. Appointment to a judiciary position is permanent.

With regard to the legal profession, it is important to note that Montenegro officially became a sovereign state in 2006. According to a 2015 source, the country has approximately 800 registered attorneys and the bar association has existed for over a century.[2] Although the Bar Association of Montenegro [Advokatska Komora Crne Gore] maintains records, there is no indication as to how demographic groups, such as women, have fared in the legal field.

Subdivisions
Main article: Municipalities of Montenegro

Montenegro is divided in 21 municipalities.

Symbols

A new official flag of Montenegro was adopted on July 12, 2004 by the Montenegrin legislature. The new flag is based on the personal standard of King Nikola I of Montenegro. This flag was all red with a gold border, a gold coat of arms, and the initials "НИ" in Cyrillic script (corresponding to NI in Latin script) representing King Nikola I. These initials are omitted from the modern flag.

The national day of 13 July marks the date in 1878 when the Congress of Berlin recognised Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world and the start of the first popular uprising in Europe against the Axis Powers on 13 July 1941 in Montenegro.

In 2004, the Montenegrin legislature selected a popular Montenegrin folk song, "Oh the Bright Dawn of May", as the national anthem. Montenegro's official anthem during the reign of King Nikola was Ubavoj nam Crnoj Gori (To our beautiful Montenegro).

See also

References
  1. The Economist Intelligence Unit (8 January 2019). "Democracy Index 2019". Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. "Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in Montenegro" (PDF). Latham & Watkins LLP. September 2015.
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