N17.T1 – Election of Constitutional Court Judge Remains Pending
HRA NEWSLETTER 17 – TOPIC 1
Members of Parliament did not vote on President Jakov Milatović’s nominee for Constitutional Court judge, Predrag Krstonijević, either on 10 February—when the President requested the vote—or on 17 February, when it had been scheduled. According to media reports, the Speaker of Parliament, Andrija Mandić, requested “additional time for negotiations”.
It should be recalled that Krstonijević failed to obtain the required two-thirds majority in the first round of voting held on the last day of the previous year. In the second round, he requires the support of three-fifths of MPs, or at least 49 votes.
Due to the delay in electing him as a judge of the Constitutional Court, the office of President Jakov Milatović stated that MPs and their political parties show little concern for the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, and the country’s European integration process.
“A functional and fully composed Constitutional Court is directly linked to Chapters 23 and 24, which relate to the rule of law, justice, and the fight against corruption and organized crime. Without a fully operational Constitutional Court, these chapters cannot be closed and there can be no serious progress in European integration,” the statement said.
The Constitutional Court currently has six judges out of the seven prescribed by law. Among them is Judge Desanka Lopičić, who continues to perform her duties despite having long fulfilled the conditions for retirement.
The President’s office emphasized that citizens expect institutions to function and political actors to demonstrate responsibility in adopting decisions in the interest of all citizens.
“Montenegro’s European path requires daily work, consistency, and respect for the Constitution. The election of Constitutional Court judges must be completed without further delay. This is an obligation towards the legal order, towards citizens, and towards the strategic goal of Montenegro becoming a well-functioning European state based on the rule of law,” the statement reads.
President Milatović is also required to nominate one additional candidate to replace Constitutional Court judge Budimir Šćepanović, whose mandate ended in June 2025.
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