Montenegro’s government has launched a constitutional initiative that would strip ministers of immunity in criminal cases linked to acts committed in office, with a particular focus on corruption-related offences. The proposal has already been approved by the cabinet and sent into parliamentary procedure as part of a broader effort to strengthen the rule of law and tighten accountability standards in public office.
Under the proposed changes, members of the government would no longer be able to invoke immunity when facing prosecution for abuse of official position or other criminal offences committed in the course of their duties. Officials promoting the measure say the aim is to remove legal protections that can delay or complicate proceedings in high-level corruption cases and to reinforce the principle that public office should not serve as a shield from criminal responsibility.
The government has framed the proposal as both an anti-corruption measure and a step toward closer alignment with European and international standards. Deputy Prime Minister Momo Koprivica said the initiative implements an important GRECO recommendation and is intended to improve the anti-corruption framework, strengthen the rule of law and support Montenegro’s European integration path, particularly in areas tied to judicial reform and Chapter 23 benchmarks.
The draft now moves to parliament, where constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority. That means the ruling camp will need support beyond its own ranks, making the outcome uncertain and opening the door to wider political debate over both the scope of the reform and its practical impact on future corruption prosecutions.
