Montenegro's parliament dismisss two pro-Western ministers

Montenegro's Parliament has voted for the dismissal of two pro-Western government ministers in office of Dritan Abazovich.

Forty of a pro-Serb deputies in the 81-seat Parliament voted in the late 21 October for the dismissal of Foreign Minister Ranko Krivokapic, and Defence Minister Rasko Konjevic.

Abazovic accused the two members of the pro-Western Social Democrat Party of working against government interests.

Pro-Serbian and pro-Russian camps in Montenegro are trying to fire pro-Western President Milo Djukanovic from office and send him to the tribunal for corruption claims.

Djukanovic has led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006 and has joined the country in NATO in 2017.

Abazovic's government is in office, as Parliament voted a no-confidence motion against the executive in August of this year.

Abazovic, leading U Movement RA, had initially had a pro-Western stance, but began to follow a more pro-Serb policy when it came to power through the change of the ruling coalition in April.

In August, Abazovic signed an agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church that does not recognise Montenegro's identity as a special state. He argued that the agreement with the Church would help overcome deep internal divisions.

Signing the agreement was criticised by pro-European political forces in Montenegro.

The new elections have not yet been called because there are no majority in Parliament.

Meanwhile, local elections will be held in 14 municipalities on 23 October, including in Montenegro's capital, Podgorica.

A consensus on new elections, which could potentially be held in January, is expected to be reached after local elections.

A European Commission report, released earlier this month, said lawmakers in Montenegro have failed to show commitment to meeting reforms that would bring the state closer to the European Union, despite Montenegro having candidate status. / REL