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20/05/2025

Due to the increased interest of the public after yesterday’s voting in the Parliament of Montenegro, in which the candidates for the position of the Central Bank of Montenegro Vice-Governors did not receive support, we issue the following

PRESS RELEASE

The Central Bank of Montenegro’s independence is key to its operation under the Constitution of Montenegro and the Central Bank of Montenegro Law. Thus, the selection of Vice-Governors and members of the Council must be based on professionalism, integrity, and credibility, which are fundamental for preserving the institution’s functionality.

In this context, Gordana Kalezić and Milan Remiković, candidates with exceptional professional references, were nominated for the position of Vice-Governors. Since they were proposed in August 2024 until today, no single argument has been presented against their appointment. The candidacy of Gordana Kalezić and Milan Remiković, after the election of Irena Radović as the CBCG Governor, represents a continuation of the appointment process to governance positions based on professional references and integrity.

We underscore that the non-appointment of the proposed candidates is a step backwards in terms of the full functionality of the CBCG and the standards of institutional independence, which represent key aspects of the European integration process. It is indicated by last week’s Joint Conclusions of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and the candidate countries, which specified that “following the principles of central bank independence, it is necessary to ensure a transparent election of the CBCG Council members, including the Vice-Governors, based on the candidates’ competencies and implemented under the Central Bank of Montenegro Law.”

The CBCG, headed by Governor Radović, remains committed to the responsible and legal performance of its functions as an independent institution guided by professionalism, transparency and public interest.

Despite the challenges, the CBCG will continue to implement its mandate resolutely, under the legal framework and with full respect for the Constitution of Montenegro and the principles that guarantee the CBCG’s independence, acting to preserve monetary and financial stability and the confidence of citizens and international partners in the Montenegrin financial system.