Centre for Civic Education (CCE) expresses concern over the way the 44th Government of Montenegro is conducting its human resources policy – not as a departure from previous bad practices, but rather as their intensification. Instead of serving as the foundation of a professional, efficient, and accountable system, the public administration continues to function as a reservoir for party- and nepotism-driven appointments, making it an expensive and inefficient apparatus.
According to the CCE data, since the formation of this Government, as many as 1.195 decisions on appointments and 697 on dismissals of public officials have been adopted. These appointments and dismissals are mostly carried out through electronic sessions, without any justification, evaluation of previous performance, or clear criteria. This approach undermines already weak principles of institutional accountability and confirms a chaotic and politically driven method of governance.
Despite the European Union’s ongoing demands for depoliticisation, rationalisation, and professionalisation of public administration, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s Government has shown no willingness to implement these reforms. On the contrary, the administration continues to expand both in breadth and depth, while key positions remain subject to party interests and personal connections.
For nearly a decade, the CCE has advocated for a smaller government with greater impact. Comparisons with the EU, which Montenegro aspires to join, and certain smaller member states illustrate the extent to which the country is captured by party and related interests. For example, Finland, with a population of 5.6 million, has 19 ministers; Estonia, with 1.37 million citizens, has 14; while Montenegro, with fewer than 620,000 citizens, has an astonishing 32 members of Government. This overproduction at the top level is mirrored at lower levels, significantly limiting the capacity for reform.
The CCE also reminds that, according to findings of the State Audit Institution (SAI), the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence have, over the past three years alone, lost labour disputes amounting to nearly EUR 16 million. These damages – increased by interest and court costs – are paid by the citizens, even though they result indisputably from unlawful and unprofessional personnel decisions made by political appointees.
Moreover, the CCE points out that a particular budgetary burden is the institute of compensation for officials after the end of their term, which continues to be used extensively as a mechanism for rewarding party staff, even those dismissed under public pressure due to unprofessional conduct. The CCE advocates for its abolition or significant limitation – a position strongly supported by the citizens – as this is an unnecessary burden on the budget of a country with numerous more urgent needs.
The CCE calls for a reconsideration of this approach to human resources in public administration, as public sector positions must not be privileges for the loyal, but responsibilities towards the citizens and the state.
Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate