Three years since gaining independence, Montenegro has advanced toward Euroatlantic integration: nearing official negotiations for European Union candidacy, receiving a NATO Membership Action Plan and achieving Schengen-zone visa liberalization. The government is led by the long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), which renewed its mandate in 2009 with an absolute majority.
While progressing in its foreign policy goals, Montenegro faces domestic challenges in pursuing government transparency and anti-corruption efforts. The power imbalance between the DPS and a fractured opposition has stymied constructive engagement on policy. NDI's public opinion research shows that citizens do not see constructive alternatives within the political system and have growing dissatisfaction with the lack of improvement to their daily quality of life.A few non-governmental organizations are pursuing government watchdog projects. These initiatives must grow and be sustained through representative institutions, such as parliament, that have the power to promote the public interest.
Parliamentary Support
Since 1999, NDI has helped political parties, parliament, and civil society conduct free elections, initiate public dialogue on policy reform, and improve legislative efficiency and organization.
- Regional political party initiative»
- Liberal parties in the Balkans plot a shared course toward the future»
- Center-right political party youth leaders gather from across the Balkans to form political network»
- Youth leaders declaration from Belgrade summit seeks regional cooperation and peace
- Emerging political and civic leaders gather in Belgrade»
- Text messaging delivers for Montenegro election monitors»
- Montenegro: new challenges for a new mandate»
With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), NDI is improving parliament's legislative procedure, building more productive government-opposition relations, and increasing its organizational capacity. The Institute has produced a needs assessment of parliament, recommending improvements in legislative procedure, executive oversight, public outreach, and human resources.
- Regional parliamentary initiative»
- Strengthening democracy in Montenegro, the world's newest country»
Parliament has improved the rules of procedure and staff capacity, and has included legislative hearings as parliamentary practice, but legislative research, budgetary resources, oversight, and constructive dialogue remain challenges. NDI's civic partner, the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), manages a parliamentary internship program, amplifying legislative research capacity. The Institute conducts public opinion research to help elected officials and parties develop policy and communication with constituents.
- Montenegro: NDI releases results of November public opinion survey»
- Montenegro: key findings of public opinion poll, November 2008»
- Montenegro tracking poll: key findings (2007)»
- Montenegro baseline poll: key findings (2007)»
With United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) support, NDI developed an assessment framework to measure transparency and accountability in the governance system, examining the legal framework for and actual practice of government checks and balances. NDI offered recommendations to improve the legal basis for government accountability and transparency.
- Montenegro becomes first test for new NDI tool to assess government transparency and accountability»
- Transparency and Accountability in the Montenegrin Governance System
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Podgorica
Scott Persons, Senior Resident Director
+382 81 655 441
Washington, D.C.
Natalie Hill, Program Officer
(202) 728-5480
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Pictured Above: Convened by the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), 16 political parties signed a code of conduct prior to 2009 parliamentary elections. NDI is a longtime supporter of CDT efforts to monitor Montenegrin elections.
