Dritan Abazovic

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.

President of Montenegrin Commerical Court Blazo Jovanic (right) poses with Dean of Faculty of Law of Donja Gorica, Zoran Stojanovic, at a meeting on March 03, 2020. Photo: Commercial Court of Montenegro

Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic praised the police and prosecution action, adding that the fight against organised crime and corruption was one of his minority government's priorities.

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.

Prime Minister-designate Dritan Abazovic at a press conference in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

"The government will have five priority areas of action. We will be focused on the fight against corruption, more sustainable investments, EU integration, sustainable development and environmental protection," Abazovic said.

Montenegrin Prime Minister-designate Dritan Abazovic at a press conference. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Abazovic said that the mandate of his government will be one year, and that its main task will be to prepare state institutions for next spring's early elections.

Montenegrin government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

The government adopted the measures on Friday, more than five weeks after it joined EU sanctions on Moscow on March 1.

Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic said the move covers a wide package of restrictions on Russian officials, banks, companies and media.

Montenegrin Prime Minister-Designate Dritan Abazovic in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Nikolic said that a new minority government must be formed by next week, and the negotiations were taking too long.

Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic at a press conference. Photo: Government of Montenegro

On March 2, the leader of Black on White, the smallest bloc in the former ruling coalition, was proposed as prime minister-designate after he announced the formation of a new minority government.

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.

The man who called for protests was detained last night, but was released without delay after the prosecutor stated that there were no elements of a crime in the procedure.
Democrats, however, warn that Abazovic is abusing his position, trying to intimidate citizens.