A mass shooting on 1 January in Cetinje, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including children, has raised concerns about security and violence in Montenegro. The country is reported to have the sixth highest number of illegal weapons per capita in the world. The police response during the incident has faced criticism, though Prime Minister Milojko Spajić defended the police, citing shortages in law enforcement personnel due to retirements. Civil society organizations pointed out that despite Cetinje being home to over a hundred members of organized crime groups and the site of a similar mass shooting in 2022, the town has minimal police presence. In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Spajić announced a two-month amnesty for individuals who surrender illegal weapons, along with tougher prison sentences for those caught with illegal firearms after the amnesty period. He also proposed additional gun control measures and a new Law on Weapons. 

Sources: Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Vijesti 

The Parliament Constitutional Committee’s December 2024 decision to end Constitutional Court Judge Dragana Đuranović’s tenure upon retirement, deviating from the procedures established in the Constitution and the Law on the Constitutional Court, exposed weaknesses in the separation of powers. The opposition blocked Parliament’s work and demanded the annulment of the decision. For a judge’s termination to be formally recognized, the Court must adopt a decision by majority vote (at least four affirmative votes) and notify Parliament, which is then responsible for announcing the vacancy. However, the Court voted against notifying Parliament in June 2024. Four judges opposed the notification (citing the Labour Law) and two supported it (based on the Pensions and Disability Insurance Law). Experts argue that the differing interpretations of the legislation regarding retirement are driven by the self-interest of some of the judges. They also argue that the vote is questionable because two judges whose terms should have ended, along with Đuranović, participated in the vote. The latter thus violated the rule that no one can judge their own case. Had Đuranović recused herself, it is likely that no decision would have been reached, allowing Parliament to step in, as it did in the past. The European Commission raised concerns, urged legal reforms, and proposed a Venice Commission review.  

UPDATE: The opposition and the government reached an agreement to seek the Venice Commission’s opinion on the termination of a Constitutional Court judge’s mandate, with the aim of easing the political tensions and restoring the Parliament’s work. The selection process for a new Constitutional Court judge will be suspended pending the Commission’s opinion. 

Sources: Balkan Insight, Akcija za Ljudska Prava (1), Akcija za Ljudska Prava (2), Antena M, Vijesti (1), Vijesti (2), Vijesti  (3) 

New Sources: Vijesti, Cafe del Montenegro 

The High Court in Podgorica sentenced the former President of the Supreme Court, Vesna Medenica, to six months in prison for abuse of office. The High Court ruled that Medenica had permitted a Basic Court judge, Milosav Zekić, to remain in office and avoid temporary suspension, despite Zekić’s criminal proceedings for allegations of causing physical injuries. Medenica, Supreme Court President since 2007, resigned in December 2020 after criticism by the European Commission and civil society over her third term, despite a two-term limit. Medenica was also accused of abuse of power and arrested in 2022 after transcripts revealed her son's involvement in drug and cigarette smuggling, with claims she was complicit. She was released after six-and-a-half months in custody to defend herself. In November, the Judicial Council elected Valentina Pavlicic as the new President, filling the post which had been vacant since 2020. 

Sources: Cafe del Montenegro, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Balkan Insight (3), Vijesti, European Western Balkans

The parliament appointed legal expert Milorad Markovic as the new Supreme State Prosecutor, filling a position that had been temporarily handled by three interim prosecutors since June 2021. Markovic was elected with the votes of both ruling and opposition parties. The appointment of the State Prosecutor was among the conditions outlined to accelerate reforms for EU membership, and was highlighted in the 2023 EU progress report.

Sources: Balkan Insight, European Western Balkans (1), European Western Balkans (2), Parliament of Montenegro, European Commission 

The centrist Europe Now Movement has come first in the snap parliamentary elections, winning 25.5 per cent of the vote. These are the first elections in 30 years in which Milo Đukanović, the longest-ruling leader in contemporary Europe has not participated (following his loss in presidential elections in April). Đukanović held key positions for over 31 years, including as a president and prime minister. The coalition led by his party, the Democratic Party of Socialists, received 23.2 per cent of the vote, while the pro-Serbian electoral alliance “For the Future of Montenegro” garnered 14.7 per cent. Outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazović’s green-conservative coalition of United Reform Action and Democratic Montenegro won 12.5 per cent of the vote.  The party has promised reforms on EU membership and the economy, including increases in average wages. International observers deemed the elections well-run, but emphasized the need for electoral reforms due to gaps and inconsistencies on the election law, which has not been updated since 2014. Voter turnout was the lowest since 1990, dropping to 56.3 per cent, a notable decrease from 76.7 per cent in 2020.

Sources: Vijesti, Državna izborna komisija (State Election Commission), Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Euronews, OSCE ODIHR, International IDEA