Reshuffled government in Montenegro includes pro-Serbian coalition

Montenegro’s Parliament voted on 23 July a restructured government that includes the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian ‘Coalition for the Future of Montenegro’. The bloc of pro-Serbian parties had previously supported the government of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić in the Assembly, securing significant posts such as the position of Parliament Speaker held by Andrija Mandić. Now this coalition is officially part of the government.

Why is this relevant

After the inclusion of the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian coalition in the government, the EU and the US have warned against any actions that go against Euro-Atlantic values and that could jeopardize the country’s EU integration path.

Context

The leader of the pro-Serbian bloc Mandić is known for opposing Montenegro’s NATO membership, for his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, for criticizing the government decision to join European Union sanctions against Russia, and for demanding the withdrawal of the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. However, according to the coalition agreement signed on the eve of the formation of the government led by Spajić last year, the coalition would respect all previous international obligations, including NATO membership and recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Nevertheless, in March at the Committee for Political Affairs of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, the representative of Montenegro, an MP of the pro-Serbian Democratic People’s Party, voted against Kosovo’s membership of the Council of Europe.

The US Embassy in Podgorica expressed ‘concern about the inclusion in the Government of parties and leaders who do not condemn the Russian aggression against Ukraine, oppose the European Union’s sanctions against Russia, and whose actions are in direct contradiction with the principle of good neighborly relations’. The EU warned against any actions that could jeopardize the country’s EU integration path.