Montenegro ends court stalemate that has threatened EU bid

Montenegro’s lawmakers on Monday elected all but one of the judges of the country’s top court, ending a stalemate that has threatened to halt the Balkan nation’s European Union membership bid, Report informs, citing the Associated Press.

Montenegro’s Constitutional Court has been blocked for months, with main political players failing to agree on new members. The court has seven judges, but four places have been vacant since September.

EU officials have warned Montenegro that it must allow for the normal functioning of the Constitutional Court if it wants to continue on its path to join the EU. The court is crucial for the rule of law and as the country holds an important presidential election next month.

Lawmakers on Monday approved three out of four judges but failed to agree on the fourth candidate. The vote still means the court is formally unblocked despite lacking one member. A new vote to elect the fourth judge is expected within weeks.

“Good news from Montenegro today! ” tweeted Vladimir Bilcik, the European Parliament member dealing with the region. “I hope a fourth judge can be elected soon. The culture of dialogue and compromise across party lines is the only way forward for progress on the EU path.”