The Petrović Njegoš Foundation to receive €100,000 annually, „Kruševac“ Palace granted to dynasty descendants, apartment in Podgorica remains theirs, land in Cetinje returns to the state

After the earlier Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Petrović-Njegoš Dynasty was withdrawn today, Member of Parliament from the Europe Now Movement Miloš Pižurica, this time as the sole signatory, submitted a new proposal.

As stated in the new Draft Law, which Portal ETV had access to, annual funding for the Petrović Njegoš Foundation from the state budget of Montenegro is set at €100,000, starting from 2027. The proposal also provides the transfer of ownership of the „Kruševac“ palace in Podgorica to the descendants of the dynasty, with the obligation that reconstruction and maintenance of the facility be financed from the state budget.

It also prescribes a ban on selling the palace to third parties, with the possibility of its transfer exclusively in favor of the state of Montenegro. The proposal retains the apartment in Podgorica in the ownership of the dynasty, while the land in Cetinje is returned to state ownership. It also provides temporary use of the „Kruševac“ palace by institutions until the construction of a Museum of Contemporary Art.

The aim of these amendments is to improve the financial and legal framework, provide partial compensation and moral rehabilitation to the descendants of the dynasty, while preserving Montenegro’s cultural and historical heritage.

REASONS FOR ADOPTING THE LAW

The amendments to the Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dynasty, adopted on July 12, 2011, and published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 36/2011, are based on the need to harmonize the legal framework with current social and political circumstances, as well as the need for more efficient realization of the rights and obligations of the dynasty’s descendants, their full moral rehabilitation, and compensation, in accordance with the basic provisions of the original law.

As stated, this law represents an expression of the obligation of the current government, in accordance with the Constitution of Montenegro, to establish a permanent and dignified solution for the status of the dynasty’s descendants after a long period of uncertainty. Its implementation will contribute to the preservation of cultural and historical heritage, the building of social trust, and the further strengthening of Montenegro’s democratic and multiethnic character.

By adopting these amendments, the descendants of the Petrović Njegoš dynasty, after decades of stagnation and institutional injustice, are given an opportunity for partial compensation and full moral rehabilitation. This not only corrects a historical injustice, but also symbolically restores the dynasty’s place in the social and cultural life of Montenegro, thereby fulfilling justice in a manner befitting a modern, democratic, and rule-of-law state.

EXPLANATION OF KEY LEGAL PROVISIONS

Article 1 of the Law provides for permanent and stable financial support for the work of the Petrović Njegoš Foundation through an annual allocation from the state budget, enabling continuous implementation of cultural and humanitarian activities important for the promotion of Montenegrin identity and tradition. This provision continues the core idea of the original law, but introduces a clear and lasting financial mechanism.

Article 2 of the Law stipulates that the descendants of the dynasty are granted ownership of the „Kruševac“ palace in Podgorica, along with the associated land, with regulated financing for its reconstruction and furnishing. These provisions represent the implementation of previously established obligations that have not been fully carried out. The „Kruševac“ palace has symbolic importance for the history of the dynasty and Montenegro, so its return to the descendants’ ownership represents an expression of respect and preservation of cultural heritage.

Article 4 regulates the preservation of cultural and historical heritage of special importance to the state of Montenegro by limiting the disposal of the palace, which has symbolic and state-building value. The right of alienation is allowed exclusively in favor of the state of Montenegro, at a price determined on the date of acquisition, thereby preventing sale to third parties and loss of state control over the property.

By introducing a new Article 17a, institutions currently housed in the „Kruševac“ palace are allowed to continue their activities until the construction of the Museum of Contemporary Art, while paying rent determined by the competent state administration body for culture. This regulates the temporary legal status of the use of the facility.

Article 17b regulates the status of real estate previously granted to the descendants of the Petrović Njegoš dynasty. The apartment in Podgorica remains in their ownership, while the land in Cetinje, intended for the construction of a family house, is returned to state ownership. This establishes legal certainty and clarity in property relations, with the obligation of the competent authority to register state ownership within the legally prescribed deadline.

ASSESSMENT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW

To implement this law, it is necessary to secure funds in the Budget of Montenegro. The planned dynamics provide the allocation of €100,000 annually from January 1, 2027, for the work of the Foundation.

It is also necessary to secure funds from the capital budget for 2026 for the reconstruction and furnishing of the house in Njeguši, as well as the reconstruction and furnishing of the „Kruševac“ palace in Podgorica, with the exact amount to be determined through a project plan.