Week in Review: Shuffling and Reshuffling

Reshuffling the Cards

Montenegrin PM Zdravko Krivokapic and Deputy PM Dritan Abazovic in a police camp training. Photo: Government of Montenegro

More than a week after the violent protests in Montenegro's old capital Cetinje over the enthronement of the Serbian Orthodox Church's leading bishop in Montenegro, tensions in the country have still not calmed down. Recriminations over the Government's handling of the protests organized by the opposition DPS against the religious ceremony are still rocking the ruling coalition.

While the DF and Democrats are calling for the accountability of the Minister of Police and Police Chief, URA is refusing to allow either to be removed from their posts. The latest Government crisis in fact only plays into existing turbulence within the ruling coalition. Despite threats of early elections and bringing the government down, our analysis suggests that, after many fireworks, a cabinet reshuffle is more likely to take place than an early election.

Read more: After Violence, Only Reshuffle May Avert Montenegrin Election (September 14, 2021)

Out in the Cold

Albanian Democratic party Chairman Lulzim Basha (C) address his supporters as former democratic leader and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha (L) look on as some thousands Albanians protest in Tirana, Albania, 22 November 2014. Photo: EPA/ARMANDO BABANI

The good news from Albania is that, after a two year boycott of the country's Parliament, the opposition Democratic Party, DP, is finally returning to the country's main representative and legislative body. With a bit of luck, political competition should return to a formal institutional setting.

Yet the DP's return to Parliament has been overshadowed by internal...