EU Report Notes Rise in Corruption Convictions but Public Trust Remains Low in Montenegro

A European Commission report notes an increase in final convictions for high-level corruption in Montenegro and a strengthening of judicial independence, but warns that public perception of corruption remains unchanged. The report also highlights growing influence of Serbian owners in Montenegrin media and ongoing disputes over the status of the head of the national broadcaster RTCG. The findings are part of the EU's annual enlargement package assessing Montenegro's progress in rule of law and media freedom. The government has pledged to address the concerns, but civil society groups argue that concrete results are still lacking.

Global Impact

Politically, the report reinforces the EU's conditionality-based approach to enlargement, which may slow Montenegro's integration timeline. Socially, the gap between judicial improvements and public distrust highlights a governance credibility problem that could fuel populism.