The current composition of the Assembly is unprecedented in the history of Montenegro. Concerning the EU-related reforms, a broad inter-party and social consensus should be reached, as it’s of paramount importance for the country in order to make progress on the road to the EU. This is one of the key messages from the EC Enlargement Package that the CdM portal had the insight into.
Brussels criticizes the fact that the ruling majority often initiated or passed laws using accelerated procedure, without the necessary public consultations and without taking into account the requests of the EU accession process.
Brussels warns that the negotiation structure has been somewhat weaker by dismissal of 100 of its members, including 16 negotiators for chapters and 24 heads of the working groups. The majority of these positions haven’t been fulfilled yet.
There’s another important warning for Montenegro. Brussels says that some of the key ministries haven’t shown enough dedication and constructive engagement in the EU accession process.
And it’s not all. They voiced a clear warning that the change of power and the parliamentary majority significantly affected state administration, noting that the amendments to the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees now demand less requirements for competitiveness, independence and merit-based recruitment of civil servants and state employees.
The Report also suggests that the recent cabinet reshuffle brought in some significant personnel changes, at the senior management level as well, thus threatening the capacity of Montenegro to keep the experienced people when it comes to the EU-linked matters.
Brussels is adamant – Montenegro needs a strong political will for efficient depoliticisation of the public sector, optimisation of state administration and the implementation of the liability principle of senior staff.
Their message is that we need a continuous effort in order to boost professionalism, transparency and responsibility of the State Election Commission.
