Montenegro - August 2022

Dritan Abazović’s coalition government fell after a vote of no-confidence was called by the coalition parties following an agreement Abazović signed with the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC). The controversial agreement regulates the SOC’s position in the country, enabling its ownership over land and properties, including monasteries that are claimed by the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (which remained under the SOC following Montenegro’s separation from Serbia in 2006). This raised fears that the SOC is getting too much power compared to other religious groups and that this could increase Serbia’s and Russia’s influence in Montenegro. The agreement caused protests, was deemed unconstitutional by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and was especially opposed by pro-Western groups, exposing divisions between those who identify as Montenegrins and those who identify as pro-Russian Serbs.

Sources: Balkan Insight, Euronews (1), Euronews (2), RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty