Public administration reform in Montenegro: A prerequisite for EU accession

Spajić: We are working on professionalization and optimization of administration – reducing sick leave and fixed-term contracts, improving regulations

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić chaired the fourth session of the Public Administration Reform Council today, where significant progress in fulfilling Montenegro’s key requirements for European Union membership was acknowledged. Additionally, an action plan for the upcoming period was defined to ensure continued progress in this area. 

Prime Minister Spajić highlighted specific achievements made in recent months, including improvements and alignment of the regulatory framework governing the civil service system, intensified efforts toward adopting the Law on Free Access to Information, the adoption and implementation of the Law on Information Security, and the finalization of an employment plan in the fields of environmental protection and social policy with EU support. 

Furthermore, stricter oversight has led to a one-third reduction in sick leave absences. Additionally, the Commission for analyzing and monitoring fixed-term contracts aims to reduce the number of individuals engaged under such contracts by 20% by the end of the year. The optimization of public administration remains a high priority on the Government’s agenda. 

We must professionalize the system and attract the best talent to join the public administration to create a significantly more efficient structure. It is extremely difficult to attract qualified individuals to take on responsibility unless we provide them with mechanisms to reward top performers and thereby enhance overall performance. Progress in EU integration has signaled to dedicated employees within the system that their efforts are valued. On the other hand, certain areas of administration are overstaffed, while others—critical to economic growth and strengthening the rule of law—lack sufficient personnel. Our goal is to fill these gaps and reassign employees who are currently underutilized to roles where their skills can be more effectively employed, Prime Minister Spajić emphasized. 

He reiterated that the overarching goal of the 44th Government is to establish an efficient public administration that serves citizens and the economy effectively, highlighting the Government’s political commitment to executing this process. 

Montenegro, as a small economy, faces a shortage of labour in the private sector, which has already become a significant barrier to economic growth and development. Additionally, in recent years, public sector salaries have surpassed those in the private sector, making public administration particularly attractive and causing a transfer of skilled professionals from private enterprises to government institutions. At the same time, Montenegro must meet all European Commission requirements, which demand additional personnel engagement. Therefore, we must find a balance between these requirements while simultaneously optimizing public administration, stated the Prime Minister during the session, which was also attended by the EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Johann Sattler. 

Ambassador Sattler emphasized that the European Union fully supports and encourages Montenegro to intensify its efforts in building a modern, efficient public administration capable of delivering high-quality services to its citizens. 

To support this process, the European Union will finance the recruitment of skilled personnel in key sectors such as environmental protection and social policy. Furthermore, it will assist in developing a strategic approach to planning and managing human resources to address skill shortages and meet future needs. Montenegro’s ambition to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2026 will require strong leadership and tangible reforms in public administration and public finance. The engagement of highly qualified and educated managers, along with the training of existing personnel, will be essential for successfully implementing these reforms, Sattler stated. 

The next reform steps will focus on implementing the Public Administration Reform Strategy and the Public Finance Management Reform Programme. Their execution will be a government priority in the coming period, with the support of SIGMA and other international partners. 

Gregor Virant, Head of SIGMA, presented the organization’s Monitoring Report on Montenegro, outlining key recommendations for meeting European administrative standards. This report will serve as a guide for further public administration reform and strengthening administrative capacities. 

During the session, Minister of Public Administration Marash Dukaj informed Council members about ongoing efforts to draft a new Law on Local Self-Government. This law is expected to enhance the efficiency and transparency of local administration. Special attention has been given to strengthening decentralization, improving cooperation between the state and local governments, and enhancing their financial sustainability.

The Government of Montenegro remains committed to reform initiatives that will ensure a modern, efficient, and transparent public administration for the benefit of all citizens and in line with European standards.