Adopted Law on Local Servants and Officials – Professionalism Ahead of Politics

Positions such as chief administrator, assembly secretary, and heads of local government bodies will no longer be subject to political compromises but will be reserved exclusively for professionals who base their functions on knowledge, competencies, and clear work results. On this occasion, Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Marash Dukaj, stated: "By adopting this law, we send a clear and decisive message - local government must no longer be a place for political calculations but a space for professionalism, expertise, and responsibility. This legal solution creates a strong and modern local self-government focused solely on the needs of our citizens and the demands of European integration." The new law also provides concrete answers to specific municipal challenges. It introduces a system of scholarships for deficit-skilled personnel such as IT experts, architects, and internal auditors, creates an internal labor market enabling mobility of employees between municipalities, and addresses seasonal employment of municipal police officers and experts for drawing funds from European funds. The adoption of this law not only fulfills one of the key final criteria for closing Chapter 23 negotiations but also establishes a solid foundation for the long-term stability and development of Montenegro. "We do not create and adopt quality legal solutions only to align with Brussels but to fundamentally transform society, thus progressing rapidly and securely towards full membership in the European Union," emphasized Minister Dukaj.