Serbs of Montenegro

Montenegrin government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

During the government session on Friday, Social Democratic Party ministers complained that they had not been kept informed about the Ministry of Justice's negotiations with the Serbian Church, the largest faith group by far in the country.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic at the commemoration in front of the daily 'Dan' building in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro.

The editor-in-chief and owner of the daily newspaper Dan, well known for his opposition to the then government, was shot dead on leaving his office in Podgorica on May 27, 2004. He had received numerous death threats.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic (left) at a meeting with European Jewish Community representatives. Photo: Government of Montenegro

The existing Jewish Community in Montenegvo on May 24 accused the government of violating the Act signed in January 2012, which recognized Judaism as the fourth official religion of Montenegro.

Head of Montenegrin Police Anti-terrorist Unit Petar Knezevic (right) with former Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic (left) in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

The leader of the Black-on-White bloc, Abazovic, was elected Prime Minister by 45 votes in the 81-seat chamber, supported by his own coalition, the pro-Serbian Socialist People's Party and the former opposition Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, the Social Democratic Party, the Bosniak Party and two ethnic Albanian coalitions.

Montenegrin Government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

An MP for the largest opposition party, the former ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, Milos Nikolic, accused the government of ruining the country's reputation.

"Regardless of all the events in the last days, we hope that Becic will have a chance to talk and not be replaced... If case of his dismissal, I think that the chances for an agreement have been reduced and tensions are still waiting for us," Knezevic said for TV Prva.

On the two extraordinary sessions, MPs will decide separately, first on shortening the mandate of the parliament, which was proposed by the government, and then on distrust in the current executive power, which was initiated by the opposition and Dritan Abazovic's 'In Black and White' coalition.

Montenegrin Minister of Education Vesna Bratic at a pro-government support protests in Podgorica. Photo: Facebook/Milos Vujovic

At the protests, Bratic said that only the current government can sign a fundamental agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church, and it couldn't be done either by minority parties or the opposition Social Democratic Party and Social Democrats.

This situation is actually just the culmination of several months of crisis in the government in Montenegro, which was won by the opposition parties after the elections, overthrowing Milo Djukanovic from the DPS. It should be reminded that Djukanovic is still the President of Montenegro.