The Association of Municipalities of Montenegro organized training for employees of local tax authorities and chief administrators on the judicial practice of the Administrative Court regarding administrative procedure costs and freedom of information requests. The training highlighted abuses by lawyers and NGOs that lead to multi-million losses in local budgets. Notably, cases of abuse of the right to freedom of information and lawyer fees reaching thousands of euros per case were emphasized. Proposed legislative amendments aim to prevent these abuses, including reducing lawyer fees and amending the freedom of information law. This initiative seeks to protect local budgets and prevent further abuses in administrative procedures.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning reports emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in local government spending, highlighting the role of NGOs and the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to information. They may also stress the social impact of budget waste and advocate for stronger regulations to prevent exploitation by private interests.
Center: Center-leaning coverage focuses on the practical aspects of the training and legislative changes, presenting the issue as a necessary reform to improve efficiency and reduce corruption in local administrations. It highlights cooperation between government bodies and the legal profession to address systemic problems.
Right: Right-leaning narratives tend to emphasize the misuse of legal procedures by certain lawyers and NGOs as a form of exploitation that burdens taxpayers. They may call for stricter enforcement and penalties against those abusing the system, framing the issue as a fight against corruption and inefficiency in public administration.
