Djukanovic Seeks Influence Over New Montenegro Govt, Analysts Warn

Black on White bloc leader Dritan Abazovic (left) and Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic (right) at a conference in Budva. Photo: Atlantic Council of Montenegro

After Montenegro's fragile coalition government lost a vote of confidence on February 4, the smallest block in the ruling coalition, Black on White, announced negotiations with all political parties to form a minority government.

Zlatko Vujovic, head of the Centre for Monitoring and Research, CEMI, said that the new minority government could be voted in with the support of opposition MPs, as the other blocs from the former coalition have declined to back the suggested minority administration.

"It's expected that new minority government will prepare the country for early elections within a year and implement judicial reforms. But Djukanovic's party will try to influence the new government and their support will not be unconditional, despite the fact their officials will not be part of the new PM's cabinet," Vujovic told BIRN.

The DPS could bloc reformist legislation such as Origin of Property Law and investigations into allegations of corruption against former government officials from the party during its lengthy period in office. The DPS also wants a key agreement with the country's largest religious organisation, the Serbian Orthodox Church, to be reviewed in parliament before it is signed.

On Tuesday, Black on White vice-president Goran Djurovic said that DPS officials will not be in the new government, stressing that Djukanovic's party will not be able to block the passing of reforms.

On Monday, the Black on White bloc announced that negotiations on a new government could be finished by next week. Opposition parties - the DPS, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, the...

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