PODGORICA, Montenegro — After months of political bickering, the parliament in NATO member and EU candidate Montenegro is ready to vote Monday on a proposed new authorities that may hinge on assist from pro-Russian and anti-Western teams.
A not too long ago fashioned centrist “Europe Now” coalition that advocates the small Balkan nation becoming a member of the European Union gained early parliamentary elections in June, however with out sufficient assist to kind a authorities by itself.
Following months of negotiations, the successful coalition acquired backing from staunchly anti-Western teams beneath the situation that one in all their leaders, Andrija Mandic, was elected because the speaker of parliament — an influential political place.
The coalition settlement additionally contains the situation that the pro-Serbian teams will be part of the federal government inside a 12 months with their authorities ministries.
Mandic had referred to as for shut ties with Russia reasonably than the EU, criticized Montenegro’s NATO membership and was towards splitting from a lot larger Serbia in a referendum in 2006.
Mandic, who was elected on Monday, mentioned that he’s able to “ship some new messages,” neglect what he has advocated previously and concentrate on the way forward for the nation.
“My mission is to reconcile the divisions in Montenegro, and that is how I will behave,” he mentioned.
Opposition officers claimed that this was a “black day” for Montenegro and its hopes of becoming a member of the EU anytime quickly.
The 81-seat parliament additionally deliberate maintain a vote on a brand new cupboard led by Prime Minister Milojko Spajic of the “Europe Now” motion and his proposed cupboard ministers, a formality after Mandic was elected on Monday.
U.S. and EU officers have recommended that Montenegro, as soon as thought-about the Balkan frontrunner for EU membership, ought to keep away from introducing an anti-NATO and anti-Western political social gathering into its coalition if it desires to hitch the bloc.
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to carry talks with the brand new Montenegrin prime minister on Tuesday within the capital, Podgorica, as part of her tour of the Western Balkan states looking for EU membership.
The election in June was Montenegro’s first in additional than 30 years that didn’t function Milo Djukanovic, who had served virtually constantly as both prime minister or president since 2001. Djukanovic, who led Montenegro into NATO in 2017, misplaced a presidential election in April and has taken a again seat in nationwide politics.
The Democratic Occasion of Socialists, the pro-Western social gathering previously led by Djukanovic, has skilled a decline in reputation after three many years of dominance and has new management that was searching for an opportunity to make a comeback.