Pro-Russian Democratic Front (DF) and the Bosniak Party (BS) have entered Montenegro’s Government after Parliament voted on July 23 to reform the executive branch. The United States has expressed concern over the inclusion of these parties in the Government.
The pro-Russian party will hold two vice-presidential posts and lead two ministries, while the Bosniak party will have one vice-president and five ministers.
With the inclusion of these parties, Montenegro’s Government now has 32 members—the largest in the country’s history.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, stated that the country is currently in its best peace period.
“This government guarantees stability and maturity. We are a testament to how Serbs and Albanians, Serbs and Bosniaks can live and work together,” said Spajić.
Commenting on the inclusion of pro-Russian parties in the executive, Democratic Party of Socialists representative Andrija Nikolić said the Government will be managed by Moscow and Belgrade.
“The head and brain are in Moscow. The head of this government is [Parliament Speaker] Andrija Mandić, so there are no Montenegrins in it.”
USA “Concerned” About Pro-Russian Parties in Government
The US Embassy in Podgorica expressed concern about the inclusion of parties and leaders who do not condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and oppose EU sanctions against Russia.
The US Embassy told Radio Free Europe that they support a government committed to EU membership, respecting Euro-Atlantic values, and full participation in NATO, reflecting Montenegro’s multicultural composition.
“We are concerned about the inclusion in the Government of parties and leaders who do not condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, oppose EU sanctions against Russia, and whose actions directly contradict the principle of good neighborly relations,” said the US Embassy.
The US Embassy called on the Government and deputies to remain focused on the common goal of Montenegro’s EU membership and avoid unproductive issues that threaten this goal and cause division.
“As a close ally and partner of Montenegro, the USA will continue to support and recognize the constructive actions of the Parliament and Government, highlighting activities that are contrary to Euro-Atlantic values and jeopardize tangible progress toward EU integration,” said the US Embassy in a response to REL.
This is the first reshuffling of Spajić’s Government, which was formed at the end of October last year with votes from 46 deputies out of 81.
At that time, the Government was supported by 13 deputies from DF parties, which were recently dissolved—specifically the New Serbian Democracy of Andrija Mandić and the Democratic People’s Party of Milan Knežević—on the condition that they join the Government this year.
The policies of these parties contradict Montenegro’s official policy, which is a candidate country for EU membership.
These parties support lifting sanctions against Russia—imposed because of its aggression in Ukraine—do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, oppose Montenegro’s NATO membership, deny the Srebrenica genocide, and support convicted war criminals Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić.
In addition to supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders of these parties have close political ties with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
The USA has, on several occasions, expressed concern about the inclusion of parties that oppose Euro-Atlantic values in power.
Similar concerns have been expressed by European institutions.
Nevertheless, the Montenegrin Parliament elected Andrija Mandić as its Speaker at the end of October 2023. He was also supported by representatives of Spajić’s Europe Now Movement.
