Podgorica 20th August : The Montenegrin Parliament overthrew the government of the Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic, escalating the political crisis in the NATO country.A motion of no confidence in Abazovic’s government initiated by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) of President Milo Djukanovic passed with fifty of 81 lawmakers were voted in favor late on Friday, as reported by the news agency DPA.
At the moment Abazovic will likely remain in office in a temporary capacity until a final decision is taken regarding his successor.
Abazovic, who heads the small environmental-liberal party URA, had recently upset the head of state by signing a controversial deal with the Serbian Orthodox Church, whose leadership do not fully recognize Montenegro’s independence.
The 36-year-old only took office in April, shortly after the pro-Russian and pro-Serbian administration headed by then-Prime Minster Zdravko Krivokapic was overthrown through a vote of no confidence in February.
Abazovic who has recently embraced a more pro-Serbian stance, is the leader of a minority government that comprises pro-Serbian and proMontenegrin parties, and is dependent on the backing of the DPS party of pro-Western Djukanovic.
The DPS is the most powerful parliamentarian group in the parliamentary.
Some critics say the agreement with the church, signed by Abazovic affects Montenegro’s sovereignty.
The majority of the people who are religious in the tiny Balkan country are part of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is controlled by Belgrade The Serbian Orthodox Church’s management has never truly accepted Montenegro’s independence.
The then Yugoslav republic declared its independence in 2006 and was at the moment in an agreement with the Serbian state.
It is an active part of NATO since the year 2017 and has been negotiating a possible accession to the EU since 2012.
