2022 Montenegrin crisis

On January 17, 2022, the smallest of three ruling constituents in the Parliament of Montenegro, United Reform Action, proposed a potential solution in the form of a minority government,[5] as an answer to the political crisis that has been plaguing the country since the summer of 2021, when the largest ruling constituent, the Democratic Front stepped out, putting the parliament into an effective blockade.[6] The proposed minority government would consist of the United Reform Action, Civis, Socialist People's Party of Montenegro, Bosniak Party, Democratic Party, New Democratic Force, and Albanian Alternative. Even though the parties mentioned have 14 seats in the parliament, Dritan Abazović, the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro and the president of the United Reform Action, stated that he expects the support of either the opposition or the ruling parties, or ideally both, and has invited all 81 MPs of the Montenegrin parliament to support the initiative.

2022 Montenegrin pro-government protests
Date18 January 2022 – 28 April 2022
Location
Montenegro
Caused by
Goals
  • Prevention of the formation of the minority government
  • Resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister
  • Early parliamentary elections
MethodsProtest marches, civil disobedience
Resulted in
Parties
Lead figures

Almost immediately after the proposal was made, it was heavily criticized by the Democrats, one of the ruling three constituents of the parliamentary majority, who stated that it is a "pact with the DPS[7] and their former allies, citing the ethnic minority parties. Soon after, the Prime Minister of Montenegro made a proclamation stating that the minority government is a "betrayal".[8] Both subjects accused Dritan Abazović of "betraying the will of the people" as well as of political corruption, and undermining the results of the last parliamentary election.[9]

The proposal caused mixed reactions in the Montenegrin public, some condemning it, while some supporting it. Since January 18, there have been daily protests throughout various towns in Montenegro, against the formation of the minority government and in support of the Krivokapić Cabinet. So far, the protests have been held in Podgorica, Nikšić, Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Berane, and Budva. The protest in Podgorica, held on 23 January 2022, was even attended by some of the ministers supporting Krivokapić.[10]

The proposal for the dismissal of the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, which was to be voted on February 3, 2022, failed to pass, as only 20 MPs voted for, 11 against, while 46 abstained from voting altogether, and 4 were absent.[11]

The second proposal, for shortening the term of the current parliamentary assembly, which was supposed be discussed on February 4, 2022, also did not pass, as the majority of the MPs didn't approve of the piece of the daily agenda pertaining to it. The motion of no-confidence towards the cabinet of Zdravko Krivokapić, which was discussed later that same day, had passed, it becoming the first government in the history of Montenegro to lose a no-confidence vote in the parliament. 43 MPs voted for the no-confidence vote, 11 MPs voted against. The other 27 MPs, composed of the Democratic Front, Socialist People's Party of Montenegro and DEMOS left the parliament shortly before the vote was conducted.[12]

On 7 February 2022, the bid for the dismissal President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Aleksa Bečić, passed, with 43 votes in favor, 36 against, and two absentees. Henceforth, Strahinja Bulajić, one of the Deputy Presidents of the Parliament was named the acting President of the Parliament until a new one is elected.[13]

On 28 April 2022, the installment of a new cabinet led by Dritan Abazović, passed with 45 votes in favour, 0 against and 36 absentees. Henceforth, Dritan Abazović was elected as the new Prime Minister. On the same day, Danijela Đurović was elected as the new President of the Parliament of Montenegro[14]

See also

References
  1. "Krivokapić inicirao smjenu Abazovića". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 19 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  2. "Vlada tražila skraćenje mandata Skupštini". Vijesti online (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. "Sjednica o smjeni Vlade da bude 4. februara". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 20 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  4. "Montenegro approves new minority government focused on joining the EU". 28 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  5. "Nudimo manjinsku vladu, ali bez DPS-a i DF-a". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 17 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  6. "Radunović najavio da će DF bojkotovati rad Skupštine: Resetujemo stanje na nulu i tražimo novi dogovor". Vijesti online (in Montenegrin). 17 June 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  7. ""Ovo je pakt za saradnju sa DPS-om"". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 15 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  8. "Premijer Crne Gore: Manjinska vlada je prevara". slobodnaevropa.org (in Montenegrin). 18 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  9. "Demokrate: Sprema se izdaja narodne volje epskih razmjera". Vijesti online (in Montenegrin). 19 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  10. "I ministri na protestima protiv manjinske vlade u Podgorici". balkans.aljazeera.net (in Montenegrin). 23 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  11. "Ništa od glasanja za smjenu Abazovića". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  12. "Glasovima "Crno na bijelo" i opozicije izglasano nepovjerenje Vladi Crne Gore". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  13. "Bečić razriješen funkcije". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  14. "Danijela Đurović izabrana za predsednicu crnogorske Skupštine".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.