The 2023 European Commission report on Montenegro highlights the ongoing challenges and progress in the EU accession process. Montenegro has opened 33 negotiating chapters, with three provisionally closed. However, progress on EU accession reforms has largely stalled due to political instability and polarization, with the administration being governed by a caretaker government and lacking a functional Constitutional Court for a significant period. The report emphasizes the need for Montenegro to advance in areas such as the rule of law, public administration reform, and economic development. Despite some advancements in public finance management and digitalization, Montenegro continues to face significant challenges in judiciary reforms, corruption, and organized crime. The report calls for renewed efforts to meet EU accession criteria, particularly in aligning legislation with the EU acquis, improving governance, and enhancing administrative capacity.