Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Opposition members of the parliamentary Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget have informed Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Montenegro Johan Sattler that the candidate proposed for the position of member of the Senate of the State Audit Institution (DRI) does not meet the legal requirements for that post.

The letter addressed to Sattler by Committee Chairman Boris Mugosa and members Nikola Rakocevic, Mihailo Andjusic, Nikola Milovic, and Milos Konatar, states that, given the importance of strengthening the independence and professional integrity of the DRI, particularly in the context of Chapter 32, it is necessary to point out that the parliamentary majority has proposed to the Committee a person who does not meet the legal criteria for the position.

Article 32 of the Law on the DRI stipulates that a person must have passed the state auditor’s exam and have at least ten years of professional experience, or at least ten years of experience performing responsible duties in public finance.

“In doing so, a serious precedent is being set, where individuals who do not meet legal requirements are being proposed for positions within a key institution on Montenegro’s EU integration path. This will have severe consequences for the institution’s work, as well as for the rule of law and meritocracy, as the fundamental pillars of Montenegro’s democratic progress,” the letter states.

The debate and vote on the proposed candidate in the plenary session are scheduled for Monday, and the opposition members of the Committee expressed hope that all MPs will uphold their professional integrity to stop what they describe as unlawful and anti-European actions.

“In the past year and a half, two members of the DRI Senate have been appointed, and during those appointments, as well as in the current nomination process, the majority did not deem it necessary to consult with the opposition. In this latest case, the problem is even more serious, as the candidate does not meet the legal requirements, which, in addition to undermining the DRI’s integrity, will lead to complaints from candidates who applied through the public call,” the letter concludes.