Danger of riots in Montenegro, Gjukanovic, call for calm!

Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic said earlier that despite the coalition’s rifts, his government would sign a “core agreement” that would improve sensitive relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has considerable influence in his country and within the ruling coalition. The majority of Montenegrins are Orthodox believers under the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has its own branch in Četinje, called the “Metropolis of Montenegro and the Coast”. Djukanovic tried to divert attention from the nerve-wracking issue.

“The most important thing for Montenegro is to unlock the negotiation process and move forward towards Europe. But due to the circumstances, the latter has turned into a very important political issue. We just need to reduce tensions and the media should not increase the importance of this issue more than necessary“, said Djukanovic.

After Abazovic’s announcement, several protests were organized in Podgorica. In addition to unresolved questions about property and primacy, the Serbian church has also meddled politically in Montenegrin affairs several times, including organizing protests ahead of elections that ousted Djukanovic’s ruling allies in 2020. Critics say the draft agreement recognizes Serbian Orthodox subjectivity six centuries ago. earlier than is given to the church in Serbia itself and that it improperly extends influence to the Montenegrin territory.

It is also said that the agreement defines the criteria for resolving property registration disputes. The Serbian Church controls hundreds of properties throughout Montenegro. Abazovic did not clarify when this agreement is expected to be signed. Djukanovic, for his part, has turned the Montenegrin identity into an important domestic point and has tried to curb the influence of the Serbian church in the country.

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