English
Crnogorski
РусскийConstitutional reform of the judiciary, updated student aid standards, novel food regulation, and temporary fuel excise cuts
Between August 24 and August 30, 2026, Montenegro enacted Amendments XVII through XXI to the Constitution, reforming the composition of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils and formally guaranteeing the independence of the Central Bank. Concurrently, the Ministry of Education updated the criteria for student loans, scholarships, and dormitory accommodation, a new regulation on novel foods took effect, and excise duties on motor fuels were temporarily reduced.
Constitutional Law
The Minister of Justice has been removed from the Judicial Council, and the quota of elected judges increased from four to five.
Amendment XVIII to the Constitution amended Art. 127, which governs the composition of the Judicial Council (*Sudski savjet*). The Minister of Justice is no longer a member of the council, while the number of judges elected by the Conference of Judges has been increased from four to five. The council now consists of the President of the Supreme Court, five judges, and four prominent jurists elected by Parliament, eliminating direct executive branch participation in judicial appointments and disciplinary proceedings.
The 11-member composition and representative quotas of the Prosecutorial Council are now enshrined directly in the Constitution.
Amendment XX replaced Art. 136 in its entirety, establishing a constitutional structure for the 11-member Prosecutorial Council (*Tužilački savjet*): the Supreme State Prosecutor, five prosecutors elected by the Conference of State Prosecutors, four prominent jurists, and one representative of the justice ministry. Under the amended Art. 91, the prominent jurists are elected by Parliament by a qualified majority (two-thirds in the first round or three-fifths in the second), safeguarding institutional autonomy.
The Constitution now defines the Central Bank as an autonomous and independent body accountable directly to Parliament.
Amendment XXI revised Art. 143, adding an explicit constitutional guarantee of independence alongside its autonomous status. Instead of a generic clause on banking stability, the Constitution now explicitly mandates the Central Bank of Montenegro to report on its work directly to Parliament (*«o svom radu izvještava Skupštinu»*) and provides the constitutional basis for a dedicated organic law.
Education and Vocational Training
The 'success index' has replaced grade point average as the key academic criterion for student loans and scholarships.
Amendments to Art. 3 and Art. 18 of the Rulebook replace the previous grade point average criterion with the academic success index (*indeks uspjeha*) for second- and upper-year students applying for state financial support. Under Art. 19, bonus coefficients for international competition awards (+0.10 to +0.50) are now added to the success index or average grade. Pursuant to Art. 8 and Art. 25, applicant success index scores are publicly listed on the ministry's website.
Student dormitory accommodation and meal allocations have been transitioned to the success index scoring model.
Under amended Art. 15 of the Rulebook, upper-year applicants for dormitory accommodation and meals are evaluated based on their success index from the prior academic year instead of their grade point average. Art. 16 updates the scoring formula, multiplying the success index by a factor of 8 before adding study-year points. The rules took effect upon publication and govern placement rankings for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary
A new regulation on novel foods establishes authorization and market placement requirements in line with EU standards.
Enacted pursuant to Art. 1, this regulation transposes Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 into Montenegrin law, governing food with modified molecular structures, nanomaterials, and cell or micro-organism cultures. Under Art. 6, novel foods may only be placed on the domestic market if included in the official authorized list maintained by the Ministry. Food business operators must verify product safety and comply with specific labeling rules under Art. 5 and Art. 7.
Budget and Tax Law
Excise duties on unleaded gasoline and gas oils have been temporarily lowered through September 5, 2026.
Pursuant to Art. 1 and Art. 2, the government reduced excise rates on unleaded gasoline to €522 per 1,000 liters (€0.522 per liter) and on gas oils used as motor fuel (diesel) to €352 per 1,000 liters (€0.352 per liter). The measure aims to mitigate retail fuel price volatility for residents, tourists, and logistics operators. Under Art. 3, the reduced rates apply from August 25 through September 5, 2026.