Two years since gaining independence peacefully, Montenegro is oriented toward Euro-Atlantic integration, advancing relatively quickly in its respective bids to join the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The country has demonstrated progress in establishing a new constitution, developing its governance capacity, and seeking to design and implement policy reforms that modernize its political and economic systems in line with European norms. It has normalized relations with all of its neighbors, including Serbia and Kosovo.
At the same time, the country’s transition to democracy faces some important challenges. Polarized relations between a governing party in power for more than a decade and a fractured opposition have stymied needed compromises on many reforms. National identity issues related to citizenship and organized religion, along with the rights of ethnic minorities, continue to dominate political discourse. Civil society groups find few points of entry into parliament and government as advocates and watchdogs. Elected officials are, however, increasing their efforts to produce and deliver policies responsive to citizen priorities.
Since 1999, NDI has helped political parties, parliament, and civil society conduct genuine elections, initiate public dialogue on policy reform, and improve legislative efficiency and organization. NDI’s current, USAID-funded program is focused on parliament, seeking to improve its legislative procedure, build more productive government-opposition relations, and increase its organizational capacity.
Parliamentary Support
An NDI needs assessment of parliament analyzed institutional strengths and weaknesses and recommended improvements in legislative procedure, executive branch oversight, public outreach, capital development and human resources. Parliament has improved the rules of procedure and staff capacity, but legislative research, sufficiency of budgetary resources, oversight of government actions, and government-opposition consensus remain challenges.
NDI is providing examples from other European parliaments through study missions for members and staff to Estonia and Slovakia, respectively, where parliaments played strong roles in overseeing domestic reforms leading to accession to the European Union. NDI’s civic partner, the Center for Democratic Transition, manages a parliamentary internship program, which amplifies legislative research and review capacity. The Institute works with MPs and staff on legislative public hearings and conducts public opinion research to help elected officials discern citizen views on reform issues. Political parties have drawn on this research in parliament and in their direct communications with constituents.
With UNDP support, NDI is developing an assessment framework to measure Montenegro’s progress in fulfilling democracy criteria required for EU membership.
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Podgorica
Lisa McLean, Senior Resident Director
+382 81 655 441
Washington, D.C.
Nathan Evans, Program Officer
(202) 728-5676
Pictured Above: At an NDI public hearing simulation, members of Montenegro’s parliament incorporate best practices in legislative inquiry and oversight.
