Centre for Civic Education (CCE) expresses serious concern over the latest verdict of the Basic Court in Podgorica, dated 11 July 2025, which once again confirmed that the appointment of Boris Raonić as Director General of RTCG was unlawful. This verdict is yet another slap in the face to institutions that persistently turn a blind eye to illegalities, but also a warning to those who undermine Montenegro’s democratization and Europeanization in their quest to control the Public Broadcaster.
It is said that the number six symbolizes harmony and stability. In this case, the sixth ruling has brought neither harmony nor stability, but rather set a new record for a man whose appointment has now been declared unlawful six times. Raonić has become the inglorious champion of court decisions that repeatedly annul him, while he stubbornly remains in his seat – as if the legal order applies to everyone except him.
It is equally troubling that institutions have had at least six opportunities to react, yet they continue to avoid doing so. In a country aspiring to EU membership, court verdicts apparently carry no weight when they threaten the political comfort of the ruling structures.
CCE reminds that Montenegro has formally committed itself to EU membership, where the rule of law is an obligation, not a simulation. Yet it seems that this rule of law ends at the door of the RTCG Director General’s office, where six verdicts are worth less than political support, reinforcing the belief that in Montenegro not everyone is equal before the law.
What is particularly disgraceful is that the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture and Media – who should be defending the legality and integrity of the Public Broadcaster – remain silent. Their silence can no longer be interpreted as neutrality but rather as active complicity in the degradation of the rule of law and media freedoms. Just when Montenegro needs to demonstrate that it deserves an accelerated path to the EU, we are witnessing a record number of unlawful appointments and disregard of court decisions by one man, while those protecting Raonić feel no responsibility for propping up their own mouthpiece at the expense of all citizens.
The number six is also often interpreted as a number that brings luck. It remains to be seen whether this sixth verdict will finally awaken the institutions and compel them to do their job.
CCE will continue to insist on the enforcement of court decisions, accountability of public officials, and legality in the functioning of institutions – because without this, Montenegro cannot be a democratic society, let alone ready for the EU. RTCG belongs to the citizens, not to interest groups who treat it as private property.
Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate
Previous court decisions in the case of Boris Raonić:
- Basic Court ruling from 04/01/2023, case no. P. 3110/21
- High Court ruling from 10/05/2023, case no. Gž. 815/23
- Supreme Court ruling 628/23 from 04/03/2024/
- Basic Court ruling 2827/23 from 30/04/2024
- High Court ruling no. Gž. 2926/24 from 18/09/2024
- Basic Court ruling no. P. 6678/2024 from 11/07/2025