Editing Montenegro (section)

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Montenegro}}

{{multiple image
| align             = right
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Jakov Milatović in 2024 MGR2967 ((cropped).jpg
| width1            = 130
| alt1              = Jakov Milatović
| caption1          = [[Jakov Milatović]]<br />[[President of Montenegro|President]] <br /><small>since 20 May 2023</small>
| image2            = Milojko Spajić at EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference European Council on 26 June 2024 (cropped).jpg
| width2            = 130
| alt2              = Milojko Spajić
| caption2          = [[Milojko Spajić]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]] <br />since 31 October 2023</small>
}}

Montenegro is a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democratic]] [[republic]] with a [[Constitution of Montenegro|codified constitution]] established in 2007. The constitution describes Montenegro as a "[[Civic engagement|civic]], democratic, [[environmentalism|ecological]] state of [[social justice]], based on the [[rule of law|reign of Law]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skupstina.me/cms/site_data/ustav/Ustav%20Crne%20Gore.pdf|title=Ustav Crne Gore|access-date=11 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326020047/http://www.skupstina.me/cms/site_data/ustav/Ustav%20Crne%20Gore.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2010}}</ref> Montenegro is a [[multi-party system]].

The [[President of Montenegro]] is the representative [[head of state]], elected for a period of five years through [[direct election]]. The President promotes the country internationally through diplomatic engagements, promulgates laws by ordinance, calls elections for the [[Parliament of Montenegro|Parliament]], and ceremonially proposes candidates for [[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]], president and justices of the Constitutional Court to the Parliament. The President also ceremonially proposes the calling of a [[referendum]] to Parliament, grants amnesty for criminal offences proscribed by the national law, confers decoration and awards and performs other constitutional duties and is a member of the Supreme Defence Council. The official residence of the President is in [[Cetinje]]. The incumbent president is [[Jakov Milatović]] who has held the position since May 2023.

The [[Government of Montenegro]] is the [[executive branch]] of government authority of Montenegro and led by the [[Prime Minister of Montenegro|Prime Minister]].<ref>[http://www.me/index.php/cg/ustavno-uredenje2 Ustavno uređenje] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317201547/http://www.me/index.php/cg/ustavno-uredenje2 |date=17 March 2022 }}, [[.me]]</ref> The role of Prime Minister is the most politically powerful office in Montenegro. All of Montenegro's governments since 2006 have been [[Coalition government|coalitions]] comprising a minimum of three [[List of political parties in Montenegro|political parties.]] The government is primarily based in [[Podgorica]].

The [[Parliament of Montenegro]] is the country's [[unicameral]] [[legislature]], located in [[Podgorica]]. The Parliament has power to appoint the government, pass [[legislation]] (parliamentary law) and [[Legislative scrutiny|scrutinise]] [[Bill (law)|bills]] (proposed parliamentary law). It also appoints justices of all courts, approves the budget and performs other duties as established by the country's Constitution. Parliament can pass a [[motion of no confidence]] in the Government by [[simple majority vote]]. One member of the Montenegrin parliament, known as a Deputy, is elected per 6,000 voters.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ME/montenegro-report-on-the-observation-mission-early|title=CG/CP (8) 5 REV Standing Committee Report on the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 22 April 2001|date=31 May 2001|access-date=27 September 2021}}</ref> There are currently 81 deputies. Elections to the Parliament are conducted by the [[D'Hondt method]], a form of [[proportional representation]].

In 2019, Montenegro was described as a [[hybrid regime]] (a political system which combines [[Democracy|democratic]] and [[authoritarian]] features) according to the [[United States]]–based [[Freedom House]]. The organisation cited [[state capture]], abuse of power, and strongman tactics by Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]] (2008–2010 and 2012–2016) as explanations for its description as such. [[Milo Đukanović|Đukanović]] held a number of senior government positions, including the Presidency, before and after the dissolution of the union between Serbia and Montenegro. Similarly the ''[[Economist Democracy Index]]'' (EDI) considers Montenegro to be a "flawed democracy": since it was first published, the EDI ranked Montenegro as a “flawed democracy” from 2006-2015, downgrading it to a “hybrid regime” between 2016-2020, before reinstating it to “flawed democracy in 2021 where, as of 2024, it remains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2024 |url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2024/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/democracy-index-eiu?tab=chart&region=Europe&country=~MNE |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Our World in Data}}</ref>

[[Milo Đukanović|Đukanović]]'s [[pro-European]] and [[NATO|pro-NATO]] [[Democratic Party of Socialists]] (DPS) narrowly lost the [[2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]] which ended the party's 30-year rule<ref>{{cite news|title=Who is the opposition alliance that won Montenegro's election?|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/02/montenegro-election-who-are-the-triumphant-opposition-factions-and-what-do-they-stand-for-|access-date=21 October 2020|work=euronews|date=2 September 2020|language=en}}</ref> and the pro-Serbia "[[For the Future of Montenegro]]" (ZBCG) [[parliamentary group]], composed mainly of Serb nationalist parties, formed a government under Prime Minister [[Zdravko Krivokapić|Zdravko Krivokapic.]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gadzo |first1=Mersiha |title=Bosniaks in Montenegro live in 'fear, anxiety' following election |language=en |work=www.aljazeera.com|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/5/bosniaks-in-montenegro-live-in-fear-anxiety-following-election}}</ref> Prime Minister Krivokapic's government was toppled in a no-confidence vote after just 14 months in power.<ref>{{cite news|title=Montenegro's government toppled in no-confidence vote|date=5 February 2022|url=https://www.dw.com/en/montenegros-government-toppled-in-no-confidence-vote/a-60668961|work=DW.COM}}</ref>

In April 2022, a new [[minority government]], led by Prime Minister [[Dritan Abazović]], brought together [[moderate]] parties that are both pro-European and pro-Serb. However, his government lost a confidence vote after only 113 days. Since Montenegro had been unable to find a government which could command the confidence of the Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montenegro holds key snap parliamentary vote |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/11/montenegro-holds-key-snap-parliamentary-vote |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Abazović]] remained in his post until the [[Spajić Cabinet]] had been formed after the [[2023 Montenegrin parliamentary election|Parliamentary election which took place on 11 June 2023]], where the [[Europe Now!]] party led by [[Milojko Spajić]] won the most seats.<ref>{{cite web | title=Montenegro's pro-EU party wins election, initial results show | website=euronews | date=12 June 2023 | url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/12/pro-eu-group-projected-to-win-montenegro-snap-parliamentary-election | access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, a new minority government with [[confidence and supply]] support from [[For the Future of Montenegro|ZBCG]] enabled [[Milojko Spajić]] to become the new prime minister.<ref>{{cite web | last=Starcevic | first=Seb | title=Montenegro finally gets new government and PM | website=Politico| date=31 October 2023 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-finally-gets-a-new-government-and-prime-minister/ | access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Municipalities of Montenegro|List of regions of Montenegro}}

[[File:Statistical regions of Montenegro.svg|thumb|[[Municipalities of Montenegro|Municipalities]] and [[Statistical regions of Montenegro|Statistical regions]] of Montenegro]]

Montenegro is divided into twenty-five municipalities (''[[Municipalities of Montenegro|opština]]'').<ref name="Vlada Crne Gore 2021 q426">{{cite web | title=Lista lokalnih samouprava | website=Vlada Crne Gore | date=2021-05-14 | url=https://www.gov.me/clanak/lista-opstina-crne-gore | language=bs | access-date=2023-11-20}}</ref> Each municipality can contain multiple cities and towns. Historically, the territory of the country was divided into [[nahije]] and during the beginning of [[SR Montenegro]] was divided into counties (''[[srez]]'').

Regions of Montenegro—designed for statistical purposes by the Statistical Office—have no administrative function. Note that other organizations (i.e. [[Football Association of Montenegro]]) use different municipalities as a part of similar regions.

*[[Northern Montenegro|Northern Region]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! rowspan=2| Municipality
! colspan=2| Area
! colspan=2| Population 
|-
! Km<sup>2</sup> !! Rank
! Total !! Rank
|-
| [[Andrijevica]]||  align=center| 283|| 12|| align=center| 5,117|| 10 
|-
| [[Berane]]||  align=center| 544|| 6|| align=center| 28,305|| 3 
|- 
| [[Bijelo Polje]]||  align=center| 924|| 2|| align=center| 46,676|| 1 
|-
| [[Gusinje]]||  align=center| 486|| 8|| align=center| 13,108|| 6 
|-
| [[Kolašin]]||  align=center| 897|| 3|| align=center| 8,420|| 8 
|-
| [[Mojkovac]]||  align=center| 367|| 11 || align=center| 8,669|| 7 
|-
| [[Petnjica]]||  align=center| 173|| 13|| align=center| 6,686|| 9 
|-
| [[Plav, Montenegro|Plav]]||  align=center| 486|| 7 || align=center| 13,549|| 5 
|-
| [[Plužine]]||  align=center| 854|| 4|| align=center| 3,286|| 12 
|-
||[[Pljevlja]]||  align=center| 1,346|| 1|| align=center| 31,060|| 2  
|-
| [[Rožaje]]||  align=center| 432||  10|| align=center| 23,312|| 4 
|-
| [[Šavnik]]||  align=center| 553|| 5|| align=center| 2,077|| 13 
|-
| [[Žabljak]]||  align=center| 445|| 9 || align=center| 3,599|| 11 
|}

*Central Region
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! rowspan=2| Municipality
! colspan=2| Area
! colspan=2| Population 
|-
! Km<sup>2</sup> !! Rank
! Total !! Rank
|-
| [[Cetinje]]|| align=center| 899|| 3|| align=center| 16,757|| 4 
|-
|[[Danilovgrad]]||  align=center| 501|| 4 || align=center| 17,678|| 3 
|-
|[[Nikšić]]||  align=center| 2,065|| 1|| align=center| 72,824|| 2 
|-
|[[Podgorica]]||  align=center| 1,399||  2|| align=center| 187,085|| 1 
|-
|[[Tuzi]]||  align=center|  236 || 5|| align=center| 12,096|| 5 
|}

*[[Coastal Montenegro|Coastal Region]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! rowspan=2| Municipality
! colspan=2| Area
! colspan=2| Population 
|-
! Km<sup>2</sup> !! Rank
! Total !! Rank
|-
|[[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]]||  align=center| 598|| 1 || align=center| 42,368|| 1 
|-
| [[Budva]]||  align=center| 122|| 5 || align=center| 19,170|| 5 
|-
| [[Herceg Novi]]||  align=center| 235|| 4|| align=center| 30,992|| 2
|-
| [[Kotor]]||  align=center| 335|| 2 || align=center| 22,799|| 3 
|-
| [[Tivat]]||  align=center| 46||  6|| align=center| 14,111|| 6 
|-
| [[Ulcinj]]||  align=center| 255|| 3 || align=center| 20,265|| 4 
|}

=== Foreign relations ===
{{See also|Foreign relations of Montenegro}}

[[File:Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends NATO Summit (53847333617).jpg|thumb|right|[[Prime Minister of Montenegro]] [[Milojko Spajić]] at the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] Summit on July 10, 2024. Montenegro became a member of [[NATO]] 5 June 2017.]]

The Ministry of [[Foreign Affairs]] was given the task of defining the foreign policy priorities and activities needed for their implementation in cooperation with other state administration authorities, the President, the Speaker of the Parliament, and other relevant stakeholders.<ref name="mvpei.gov.me">{{cite web|url=http://www.mvpei.gov.me/en/ministry/Foreign-Policy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921043856/http://www.mvpei.gov.me/en/ministry/Foreign-Policy|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2013|website=mvpei.gov.me|title=Foreign Policy}}</ref>

The country joined [[NATO]] on 5 June 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Julian E. |date=25 May 2017 |title=Montenegro to Join NATO on June 5 – WSJ |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/montenegro-to-join-nato-on-june-5-1495704211 |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|Integration into the European Union]] remains a high-priority for Montenegro and has been the focus of Montenegrin foreign policy since its independence from Serbia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Montenegro's new president says country firmly on EU path|url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-04-04/montenegros-new-president-says-country-firmly-on-eu-path.html|date=3 April 2023}}</ref> In June 2023, newly elected President Milatović stated that he expects Montenegro to [[Accession of Montenegro to the European Union|join the European Union]] by 2027 or 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Potrebni novi izbori na severu Kosova i uspostavljanje ZSO |trans-title=Milatović: New elections are needed in the north of Kosovo and the establishment of the ZSO |url=https://www.kosovo-online.com/vesti/politika/milatovic-potrebni-novi-izbori-na-severu-kosova-i-uspostavljanje-zso-11-6-2023 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Kosovo Online}}</ref>

=== Law ===
{{Main|Constitution of Montenegro}}

The current [[Constitution of Montenegro]] was ratified and adopted by the [[Parliament of Montenegro|Constitutional Parliament]] of Montenegro on 19 October 2007 in a session by achieving the required two-thirds [[supermajority]] of votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montenegro 2007 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Montenegro_2007 |access-date=2025-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Constitution of Montenegro |url=https://www.skupstina.me/en/the-constitution-of-montenegro |access-date=2025-04-05}}</ref> It was officially proclaimed on 22 October 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of Montenegro |website=Faolex |url=https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC136175/ |access-date=2025-04-05}}</ref>

The Constitution defines Montenegro as a civic, [[democracy|democratic]] and [[environmentally friendly]] country with [[social justice]], established by the [[sovereign rights]] of its government.<ref name="Pobjeda">{{cite news|title=Crna Gora otvorila vrata evropske budućnosti|language=Montenegrin|publisher=[[Pobjeda]]|date=2007-10-20|url=http://www.pobjeda.cg.yu/naslovna.phtml?akcija=vijest&id=128282}}{{dead link|date=April 2010}}</ref><ref name="CafedelMontenegro">{{cite news|title=Crna Gora dobila novi Ustav|language=Montenegrin|publisher=[[Radio Antena M|Antena M]]|date=2007-10-20|url=http://www.cafemontenegro.com/index.php?group=23&news=7498}}</ref>

The judiciary in Montenegro is composed of several courts, with the Supreme Court being the highest judicial authority. It oversees the uniform application of laws. Administrative Courts handle disputes related to public administration. The judiciary also includes Basic Courts (for minor civil and criminal cases), High Courts (for more serious cases and appeals), and the Appellate Court for reviewing lower court decisions.

The Constitutional Court is a separate body, tasked with safeguarding the constitution by reviewing laws and acts of public authorities to ensure their compliance with the Constitution.

Judges in Montenegro are appointed by the Judicial Council and serve until the age of 67. The [[President of Montenegro]] appoints judges upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council. Additionally, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro (Ombudsman) is appointed by the Parliament for a six-year term, ensuring the protection of human rights and social justice.

Montenegro has a relatively low homicide rate, with the rate fluctuating around 1.5 to 2.0 murders per 100,000 people in recent years.

Abortion in Montenegro is legal on request during the first ten weeks of pregnancy.

[[File:Pride Parade Podgorica.jpg|thumb|2021 LGBT Pride in [[Podgorica]]]]

Discrimination on the basis of both [[sexual orientation]] and [[gender identity]] is banned in employment, the provision of goods and services, education and health services. Montenegro also possesses [[hate crime]] and [[hate speech]] laws which include sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds of non-discrimination.
Since 15 July 2021, same-sex couples may register their relationship as a [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Montenegro|Life Partnership]].

=== Law enforcement, security and emergency services ===
{{Main|Law enforcement in Montenegro}}

Law enforcement in Montenegro is carried out by several agencies under the [[Ministry of Interior (Montenegro)|Ministry of Interior]]. 
[[Law enforcement in Montenegro|Civil law enforcement in Montenegro]] is primarily the responsibility of the Police Directorate, the national police force. [[Municipal police]], known as Communal Police, enforce local laws in their respective municipalities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Communal Police |url=https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |website=podgorica.me |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001012042/https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Law enforcement in Montenegro is carried out by several agencies under the [[Ministry of Interior (Montenegro)|Ministry of Interior]]. 
The primary law enforcement body is the Montenegrin Police Directorate, responsible for crime investigation, maintaining public order, and general law enforcement. The Municipal Police assist with local law enforcement tasks, primarily focusing on traffic regulation and minor public order issues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Communal Police |url=https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225124900/https://podgorica.me/en/stranice/communal-police |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2021 |website=podgorica.me }}</ref>
Private security firms operate in Montenegro but have no legal authority to arrest or detain suspects.

The [[National Security Agency (Montenegro)|National Security Agency (ANB)]] is responsible for counterintelligence and internal security, while Interpol Montenegro collaborates with international agencies to counter transnational crime. Special units within the police, such as the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SAJ), handle organized crime, terrorism, and high-risk operations.

An agreement signed with the [[EU]] effective July 2023 permits EU [[Frontex]] border management personnel to operate in Montenegro in support of local border police operating on other, non EU, borders in Montenegro.<ref>{{cite web |title=Border management: EU signs status agreement with Montenegro |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_2764 |date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

Emergency services in Montenegro include medical services, firefighters, and search and rescue units, which are coordinated by the Directorate for Emergency Situations. Emergency medical services are operated by local health institutions but are overseen by the [[Ministry of Health (Montenegro)|Ministry of Health]].

=== Military ===
{{Main|Armed Forces of Montenegro}}

[[File:Final formation (7168937179).jpg|thumb|right|[[Armed Forces of Montenegro|Montenegrin army soldiers]] with [[NATO]] allies in [[Slunj]], [[Croatia]].]]

The [[military of Montenegro]] consist of three professional service branches: the [[Montenegrin Ground Army]], the [[Montenegrin Navy]] and the [[Montenegrin Air Force]]. The armed forces of Montenegro are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (Montenegro)|Ministry of Defence]], and controlled by the Chief of the General Staff. The [[President of Montenegro]] is the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the armed forces, to whom members of the forces swear an oath of allegiance. The Armed Forces are charged with protecting Montenegro, promoting the global security interests and supporting international peacekeeping efforts.

Montenegro is a NATO member and a member of [[Adriatic Charter]].<ref>{{cite news|date=19 May 2016|title=NATO Formally Invites Montenegro as 29th Member|agency=Associated Press|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nato-ministers-meet-wide-array-security-challenges-39222251|url-status=dead|access-date=20 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520151307/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nato-ministers-meet-wide-array-security-challenges-39222251|archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/112766.htm|title=Adriatic Charter|access-date=7 September 2018 }}</ref> The government planned to have the army participate in [[peacekeeping]] missions through the UN and NATO such as the [[International Security Assistance Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vijesti.me/index.php?id=302794|title=Spremaju se za Avganistan|publisher=Vijesti.me|access-date=11 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725140231/http://www.vijesti.me/index.php?id=302794|archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref>

Montenegro is the 35th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref>