This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from the European Commission. The Anti-Corruption Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International and funded by the European Union.
Query
Can you provide an overview of and background to recent measures taken to address political corruption in Montenegro?
Content
1. Overview of political corruption in Montenegro
2. Elections
3. Party financing
4. Immunity
5. Code of conduct for politicians
6. Conflict of interest rules
7. Asset declaration rules
8. References
Summary
Corruption remains one of the key challenges that Montenegro faces in the process of its further democratisation. In particular, abuse of public office and resources for private benefit and corruption within the political parties and electoral processes are seen as some of the greatest challenges in the fight against political corruption in the country. In recent years, Montenegro has made progress in strengthening its incomplete legislative framework around issues of political corruption. Laws on political party financing, prevention of conflict of interest and asset declarations have been amended, and in 2013 the government also adopted a new Action Plan for the Fight against Corruption and Organised Crime for 2013-2014. However, implementation and enforcement of the laws on the ground continue to be weak. Entities that supervise the implementation of laws are either not entirely independent or lack sufficient power and resources to sanction perpetrators, particularly in the case of senior public officials.
Authors
Samridhi Shukla, [email protected]
Reviewers
Marie Chêne; Dieter Zinnbauer, PhD, Transparency International
Date
22/05/2014