Clerical protests in Montenegro

Montenegrin Orthodox Church liturgy in Podgorica. Photo: Montenegrin Orthodox Church

After Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic on Tuesday called for negotiations about the agreement with the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Mihailo said that it must be treated the same as the Serbian Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox community in the country.

Novak went to a monastery in Montenegro

Montenegro and Serbia's premiers, Zdravko Krivokapic and Ana Brnabic, in Belgrade. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Krivokapic, who was making his first visit to Serbia since new Montenegrin government came to office last December, Krivokapic said that the two neighbours take measured steps towards mutually beneficial relations.

The cabinet of President Milo Djukanovi issued a statement stating that the way in which Russia treats Montenegro and its president is shameful.
Zakharova said on Tuesday that Djukanovic's accusations against official Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church were his attempt to regain power.

Whether that will really happen is unknown for now, but these days, there are suggestions for just that - for America to be more engaged in Montenegro. According to Blic, they come from former American diplomats who, in addition to that idea, warn of "Serbian nationalism in the country", but also of Moscow's attempts to "use it to destabilize the Balkans".

Montenegrin PM Zdravko Krivokapic and Deputy PM Dritan Abazovic at a police training camp. Photo: Government of Montenegro

With four seats in parliament, Abramovic's civic Black on the White coalition is the smallest member of the 41-member ruling coalition, which has a majority of one in the 81-seat chamber.

Montenegrin government session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

"The Montenegrin Statistical Office will hold the census of Montenegrin citizens and of foreigners living in Montenegro who have permanent or temporary residence in Montenegro. Among other things, data on ethnicity, language and religion will be collected," the draft law proposal says.

Montenegrin officials have accused the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, of launching a coup attempt during violent protests at the weekend against the enthronement of a new Serbian Orthodox Church leader, claiming that some of the protesters were armed.

Police in Montenegro on Sept. 5 dispersed hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in the historic city of Cetinje to block the inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the tiny Balkans nation.

class='cf'>

Metropolitan Joanikije and Montenegrin PM Zdravko Krivokapic. Photo: Serbian Orthodox Church

"This government and its prime minister didn't fulfill promises given to the Serbian Orthodox Church or our expectations, and they don't have our trust. We have to talk within the ruling majority," Mandic told media.