Montenegrin coalition government collapses after no-confidence vote

Montenegrin Prime Minister Drittan Abazovic attends a press conference in Podgorica, Montenegro, on July 14.File photo of Boris Pejovic/EPA-EFE

The government was overthrown by 50 MPs from 81 seats, Balkan Insights Report.

“What’s happening in Montenegro now will have a result, Milo Djukanovic or Drittan Abazovic will disappear from the political scene. It’s a political conflict where someone has to be defeated,” A Bazovic told parliament minutes before the vote.

In his speech, he also criticized organized crime groups that smuggle cigarettes and cocaine in the small country of about 620,000 people.

“There’s only one problem, and that’s the cigarettes that were confiscated in Bar Harbor,” Abazovich said.

The Socialist Democratic Party, led by President Milo Djukanovic, and smaller parties in the ruling coalition launched a vote of confidence.

“I congratulate Milo Đukanović and Aleksa Bečić on their new alliance and I hope they can agree on a government soon. We are ready to hand the baton to someone at that moment, why not lead the country more successfully,” Abazović told news agency MINA.

The vote came after the government recently signed a controversial deal with the Serbian Orthodox Church, which was mocked by Djukanovic, who then pushed for early elections.

“I did it not because of power, but because of the citizens, especially the Orthodox people of Montenegro. I will do it again, I don’t need praise. But if anyone wants a new majority in the DPS, don’t invite us again,” A Bazovic said.

“If you support a motion of confidence for a vote on agreement with the church, if someone supports disparaging people at the very top of the Supreme People’s Council and calling them names – congratulations, I won’t do that, I’m not part of that story.”