The presidentialization of Political Parties in Montenegro – Limiting Internal Party Democracy

Montenegro, even being democratic country, represents the only state, at least in Europe, that has never experienced change of government. Transformed ex communist party (DPS) is ruling since introduction of multi party system in 1990. Even that Montenegro represents parliamentary regime, political parties in Montenegro are under strong influence of process of their presidentialization. The presidentialization of political parties does not represent a direct product of institutional influence of political system, as in Montenegro has never been used presidential system. From Montenegrin experience we cannot confirm Samuels Shugart (2010) claim that “party behavior and organization tend to mimic constitutional structure, giving rise to ‘presidentialized’ parties” (2010a, p. 16). Analyzing statutes of six dominant political parties in Montenegro it is visible that “the power of presidents of political parties in Montenegro is very apparent” (Vujovic, Tomovic, 2015:177). It is noticeable strong power of the presidents to appoint the members of relevant party executive bodies and party members that are holding positions in the Parliament, as well as in the Government. Party presidents in most of Montenegrin parties control decision making process within the party. Aside prerogatives which are originating from the party's statutes, party leaders are drawing significant power from informal methods of influence. Lack of internal party democracy is complementary with presidentialization of political parties in Montenegro. Design of decision making process within political parties in Montenegro is under strong influence of ex one-party system and the procedures which were used in communist party from that period - League of Communists of Montenegro. Most of political leaders were politically active within the communist party during existence of one- party system. Transformed League of Communist, now known as DPS, is still ruling party. “In Montenegrin parties, there is a low degree of inclusion and high level of centralization” (Vujovic, Tomovic, 2015:182). There is no Montenegrin party that uses direct elections of party leadership. Analyzing political parties’s statutes we can state that membership influence in (1) candidate selection, (2) the selection of leadership and (3) setting of party policies, is modest. Due to high level of centralization, followed by party presidentialization Montenegrin parties are faced with low level of internal party democracy. Presidentialization of Montenegrin political parties represents one of key obstacles for development of democratic procedures within political parties, thus limiting internal party democracy.