Political parties in Montenegro are lagging in their commitment to electoral reform, according to an urgent statement from Marija Vesković, the advisor to the President of Montenegro on public policy. As the country approaches a critical deadline to finalize negotiations and implement meaningful changes, the lack of progress raises concerns about the political will to enact necessary reforms.
Vesković highlighted a significant delay in the work of the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform. The committee has not secured an extension of its mandate in a timely manner, which she described as a clear indication of insufficient political commitment. “This sends a message that there is no genuine political will to implement fundamental electoral reforms,” she stated.
In her role as a member of the working group focused on amending the laws governing the election of local and national representatives, Vesković noted that there has only been one session held in the past six months, which was merely a constitutive meeting. This lack of activity suggests that lawmakers are not seriously invested in making electoral reforms, particularly the introduction of open electoral lists. Despite some verbal support for reforms, no tangible steps have been taken to integrate these changes into legislation.
The proposal from the President for a referendum to introduce open electoral lists has been stalled for over two months, further signaling to citizens that efforts to strengthen their voting power are being sidelined. Vesković remarked, “If key reforms are consistently postponed, while discussions on increasing funding for political parties move forward without delay, it is understandable why citizens doubt the sincerity of promises to ‘open up’ the electoral system.”
She emphasized that if it is possible to pass dozens of laws in less than two hours, then the decision to extend the Committee’s work and advance reform should also be achievable without further delay. “When there is a desire to act, time and a majority can be found. When there is a lack of desire, excuses always emerge,” Vesković asserted.
As Montenegro looks ahead to the next elections scheduled for 2027, Vesković urged lawmakers to resume work on electoral reform swiftly. She stressed the importance of utilizing the remaining time effectively so that citizens can vote for candidates by name in the upcoming elections. Her call to action highlights not only the pressing need for reform but also the importance of political maturity and consistency in fulfilling promised changes.
