Zdravko Krivokapić

On February 7, the Montenegrin government said they terminated concession contracts for seven hydro plants in the northern part of the country, stressing that five of the investors already filed lawsuits against the state. The Government said they will have to pay compensation to investors, accusing former authorities of making spontaneous hydropower construction planning.

Ruling majority MPs and government members in the Montenegrin parliament. Photo: Parliament of Montenegro

Katnic was deeply unpopular with the former opposition for his role in securing guilty verdicts for 13 people - including two opposition leaders - accused of plotting to overthrow the previous government in 2016.

Montenegrin PM Zdravko Krivokapic on the press conference in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Krivokapic also called again on Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic to visit Montenegro and show good will for cooperation.

But analysts see a bid by Djukanovic to consolidate his party ranks before a crucial congress on January 23 and rally his base before a first electoral test in Montenegro's second city, Niksic, in March.

He stated that the people won the elections, and that the clergy contributed to that victory to some extent. "It is clear to every normal person why we do not do that. If we would not allow the government to determine when we will be ordained to the rank of priest, then we should not interfere in government personnel decisions," Bishop Joanikije told today's Politika.

The Montenegrin ruling coalition MPs adopted the changes to the Law on Religious freedom, while the opposition boycotted the session.

New Montenegrin Government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

On Monday Radulovic said the government won't lift sanctions on Russia because Montenegro must respect European Union rules if it wants to join the Union.

In that interview, Milo Djukanovi said that he had no communication with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vui, or a business relationship. On Vui's visit to Montenegro during the funeral of Metropolitan Amfilohije, he says he sees it as private.
"When I go on a private visit to Belgrade, I do not call any of my colleagues in the state government in Serbia," he said.

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic in the Montenegrin parliament. Photo: Parliament of Montenegro

The leader of the "For the Future of Montenegro" bloc, Zdravko Krivokapic, was elected Prime Minister by 41 votes in the 81-seat chamber. MPs elected the leader of the Black on White coalition, Dritan Abazovic, as Deputy Prime Minister.

It also presents the Church's Belgrade leadership with an opportunity to elect a successor more in sync with Serbian state policy under President Aleksandar Vucic, analysts say.

Metropolitan Amfilohije Radovic died on October 30 of complications from COVID-19. He was 82 years old.