Montenegro

In Montenegro, elections are largely free and fair, with all major parties able to compete on an open basis. In recent elections, opposition parties have generally been able to campaign freely, marking a clear improvement over earlier cycles, when the then-ruling DPS benefited from substantial advantages through the misuse of state resources.

Independent media, political leaders, civil society actors, and the general public are largely free to openly criticize or challenge the government. The country has a historically open and pluralistic civic space, with legal guarantees for freedom of expression and a generally independent media that is able to scrutinize incumbents. Media operate in a diverse environment, public broadcasters benefit from measures to safeguard their independence, and protests are typically allowed to proceed without suppression.

Institutions are somewhat independent but frequently constrained by the government. Despite constitutional guarantees of judicial independence and separation of powers, and government measures intended to strengthen institutional autonomy, persistent corruption risks and continued public attacks by officials on judges undermine both public confidence and the judiciary’s effective independence. Consequently, state institutions have generally failed to hold public officials accountable.