Montenegro’s Former Ruling Parties Unveil Plans for New Govt

Members of the former ruling majority in Montenegro's parliament. Photo: Parliament of Montenegro

The coalition government collapsed on February 4 after parliament backed a vote of no-confidence called by the ruling Black on White bloc and opposition parties.

On April 28, Black on White and the pro-Serbian Socialist People's Party and the opposition formed a minority government led by Back on White's Dritan Abazovic.

But on August 19, this was toppled by the DPS, smaller parties in the ruling coalition and the opposition Democratic Montenegro.

After the meeting of former ruling majority representatives, the head of the pro-Serbian Democratic Front coalition, Andrija Mandic, said that the winners of the August 2020 elections had signed an agreement on forming a new government.

"In the coming days, we will start talks to define other elements, such as the election of new parliamentary leadership and a new government," Mandic told a press conference.

The agreement was signed by members of For the Future of Montenegro, Peace is Our Nation and Black on White, which together have 41 of the 81 seats in parliament.

According to the agreement, the new government should prepare for early elections, which should be organized in spring 2023, together with presidential elections.

It is also agreed that the new government's priority will be European integration, economic reforms and the fight against organized crime and corruption.

The new ruling majority also pledged to intensify dialogue on electoral legislative reforms and elect a new Supreme State Prosecutor and Constitutional Court members.

Outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic praised the agreement, stressing that his Black on White bloc will have its own...