Montenegrin nationalist protests

The anniversary will be solemnly marked on Tuesday, December 7, the Government of Montenegro announced.
The first year of the government's work will be marked in an atmosphere of great political and institutional crisis in Montenegro, even deeper divisions and demands for the formation of a new government, i.e. a vote of no confidence in this government.

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic at a press conference. Photo: President of Montenegro

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.

Demonstrators clash with police officers in Cetinje, Montenegro. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

"In the command chain, we will investigate every act by each individual who provided or did not provide support. That will be done in the next seven days and the public will be informed," Krivokapic told a press conference.

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.

The enthronement of the Metropolitan of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Joanikije, yesterday and today was followed by riots in Cetinje and clashes with the police.

Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Joanikije is enthroned in Cetinje Monastery, Montenegro. Photo: Serbian Orthodox Church

Police used tear gas to break up the protests, while media reported that the former head of the police, Veselin Veljovic, was among those arrested.