Politics in Montenegro

Montenegro's political system rests on the Constitution and the rule of law. Legislative, executive and judicial powers are separated and provide mutual control. State institutions operate alongside 25 local self-government units, including Podgorica as the capital and Cetinje as the Old Royal Capital. Elections connect citizens with public decision-making. Parliamentary and municipal elections use proportional list voting, while citizens elect the President directly. Citizens aged 18 or older who have had at least two years of residence in Montenegro can vote. This creates different forms of representation at national, local and presidential level. Political participation also includes petitions, equal treatment, minority rights, access to public information and judicial protection of final individual decisions. The distinction between state institutions and elections helps explain the system: institutions exercise public powers, while elections select representatives or officeholders who receive political authority through the constitutional framework.