Montenegro Parliament Passes Constitutional Amendments for Ministerial Integrity Checks

Late Monday, Montenegro’s parliament adopted constitutional revisions mandating integrity checks for anyone nominated as prime minister or minister. The proposal received backing from the governing coalition, several independent legislators, and a single opposition MP from the European Alliance, while the Democratic Party of Socialists and the pro-Serb Democratic People’s Party abstained from the vote. The new provisions are intended to identify and mitigate potential conflicts of interest, requiring candidates to either relinquish state-related business activities or step down from office.

Deputy Prime Minister Momo Koprivica emphasized that the measure prevents individuals from simultaneously running the state and doing business with it, though it does not bar business owners from holding office. The DPS argued that such safeguards belong in ordinary law and should be applied before elections to avoid politicising integrity reviews. The reforms are presented as a step toward fulfilling EU accession requirements on rule of law and anti-corruption standards.