Centre for Civic Education (CCE) points out that the Prime Minister’s Hour is not a mere procedural obligation, but one of the key mechanisms of democratic oversight over the executive branch, as it enables direct dialogue, public accountability and transparency in the Government’s work. Therefore, the practice established by Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, who avoids such sessions in various ways, is unacceptable, as it violates the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Montenegro, which stipulate that the Prime Minister’s Hour must be held at least once during each two-month regular parliamentary session.
The proposal by the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, to amend the Rules of Procedure so that the Prime Minister’s Hour would be regularly held in the last week of each month during regular sittings did not receive support, with the explanation that such a solution would further limit opportunities for holding the session due to the PM’s international obligations, public holidays and potential extraordinary circumstances.
The CCE recorded a series of obstructions to the holding of the Prime Minister’s Hour during 2024 and 2025.
The session scheduled for 29 June 2024 was cancelled due to the PM’s official visit to Brussels, announced only a day earlier, which prompted sharp reactions from the opposition and assessments that the Parliament was being disrespected. The rescheduled session for 1 July was not held due to an opposition blockade, justified by the PM’s continued disregard for the Parliament.
A similar scenario was repeated on 26 July 2024, when the session was postponed due to the PM’s trip to Paris for the opening of the Olympic Games. The new date, 30 July, was not realised because a control hearing of the PM and the Minister of Finance was simultaneously taking place before the Committee on Economy, Finance, and Budget. By decision of the President of the Parliament, the session was cancelled on the grounds of preserving the dignity of the Parliament, while the opposition assessed it as a deliberate avoidance of political accountability.
The Prime Minister’s Hour scheduled for 20 December 2024 was not held due to a blockade by opposition MPs, who accused the ruling majority of a constitutional coup, in the context of a deepening institutional crisis and the controversial retirement of a Constitutional Court judge. The rescheduled date of 23 December also brought no progress, as the PM did not attend the sitting, justifying his absence by publishing written answers on the Government’s website. The CCE recalls that such a practice cannot serve as a substitute for direct and public parliamentary dialogue.
On 27 June 2025, the PM again did not attend the Prime Minister’s Hour due to the holding of an Intergovernmental Conference with the European Union. Although the session was formally held, the Prime Minister’s answers to MPs’ questions were absent.
An additional obstruction was recorded on 28 July, when the PM decided to respond to questions exclusively in writing, citing priorities related to the adoption of legislation in the area of European reforms. This triggered political criticism for undermining the Parliament’s oversight role.
During the mandate of PM Milojko Spajić, a total of ten Prime Minister’s Hours were held, during which 457 MPs’ questions were addressed, of which 132 directed to the PM. This number is significantly lower than the one prescribed by the Rules of Procedure, which indicates a systemic practice of avoiding parliamentary oversight by the PM.
Thematically, identity-related issues dominated in 2024, particularly those relating to dual citizenship and the status of the Serbian language. However, the focus was also on infrastructure projects, including delays in the construction of key highway sections, traffic congestion that affects tourism, as well as the development of the north of Montenegro. MPs also showed interest in the Government’s plans related to full employment and reducing unemployment below 4%, as one of the pre-election promises. Topics of foreign policy and European integration were also represented, particularly in the context of intra-coalition tensions and their impact on the European Union accession process, as well as staffing changes in institutions.
In 2025, the focus expanded to public finances, fiscal stability, public debt, inflation and the implementation of structural reforms in line with the IMF recommendations. MPs’ questions also covered the judiciary, security, healthcare, social protection, European integration, environmental protection, demography and legislative reforms. In the area of the rule of law, particular attention was paid to the independence of institutions, political pressure on the judiciary and vetting in the security sector, while security-related issues included crime, political influence on the police, border control and the maintenance of public order. Additional questions addressed the quality of healthcare services, workers’ rights, as well as culture, social policy, birth rates, the legalisation of buildings and migration policies.
The CCE stresses that institutions cannot function effectively if procedures are applied selectively, while their substance is neglected. The Prime Minister’s Hour must not be reduced to an administrative form nor replaced by written answers. It represents one of the fundamental pillars of democratic oversight, which must remain a space for direct dialogue and political accountability. Therefore, the CCE calls on the Parliament to ensure consistent implementation of the Rules of Procedure, and on the PM to demonstrate, through his personal attendance, a willingness to be accountable and open to criticism.
Itana Gogić, Programme Assistant