Centre for Civic Education (CCE), through an analysis of asset declarations of the highest-ranking public officials from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches for 2024, has found that the majority of officials last year refused to allow the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (APC) access to their bank accounts.
Out of a total of 170 officials analyzed, as many as 115 did not give consent for account verification, while only 55 showed willingness for this additional level of financial transparency. Instead of setting an example of openness and accountability, high-ranking officials are showing significant resistance to one of the basic anti-corruption measures—at least when it is within their discretion rather than a legal obligation.
Within the 44th Government of Montenegro, out of 32 members in 2024, 20 did not allow access to their bank accounts, while only 12 — one in three — accepted this form of oversight.
The Parliament of Montenegro, which in October 2024 proudly stated on its website that it was ranked as the most transparent parliament in the region within one project, had 54 MPs who, in the same year, refused to allow APC access to their bank accounts. While a two-thirds majority is rarely reached in Montenegro for reform processes, in this case it was achieve – in the service of shielding MPs from financial scrutiny.
The judiciary is no exception. Out of 26 top-ranking prosecutors analyzed, 20 did not grant consent, and the same applies to the courts, where 21 of the 30 senior judges declined to allow APC access to their bank records.
The CCE recalls that until recently, authorising access to bank accounts was a matter of good will, but also a telling indicator of a readiness for accountability.
However, the new Law on the Prevention of Corruption, adopted last year, brings change: the APC no longer seeks consent – it is now presumed. The Agency is legally authorised to independently access the bank accounts of all officials required to submit asset declarations.
This legal change represents a step forward in strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms, but also a confirmation that among the highest officeholders there is still no developed political culture of accountability – making legal intervention necessary.
Nikola Đurašević, Programme Associate