The US is concerned after the entry of pro-Russian parties into the Government of Montenegro

The pro-Russian party, the Democratic Front (DF) and the Bosnian Party (BS) have entered the Government of Montenegro, after the Parliament voted on July 23 for the reformation of the executive. The United States said it is concerned about the inclusion of these parties in the Government.

The pro-Russian party will have two vice-president posts and lead two ministers, while the Bosnian party will have one vice-president and five ministers.

With the entry of these parties, the Government of Montenegro will now have 32 members – the largest Government in the country's history.

The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Millojko Spajic, during his address said that Montenegro is in the best peace in its history.

"This government guarantees stability and maturity. We are indicators of how Serbs and Albanians, Serbs and Bosniaks can live and work together," Spajiq said.

Commenting on the entry of pro-Russian parties into the executive, the representative of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Andrija Nikolic, said that the Government will be managed by Moscow and Belgrade.

"The head and brain are in Moscow. The head of this government is [Speaker of the Parliament] Andrija Mandiq, therefore there is no Montenegrin in it".

The Embassy of the United States of America in Podgorica expressed concern about the inclusion in the Government of parties and leaders who do not condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine and are against European Union sanctions against Russia.

The American Embassy told Radio Free Europe that they support a government committed to the country's membership in the EU, respect for Euro-Atlantic values ​​and full participation in NATO, which reflects the multicultural composition of Montenegro.

"We are worried about the inclusion in the Government of parties and leaders who do not condemn the Russian aggression against Ukraine, are against the European Union sanctions against Russia and whose actions are in direct opposition to the principle of good neighborly relations," he said. American Embassy.

The American Embassy called on the Government and MPs to remain focused on the common goal, which is Montenegro's EU membership, and to avoid unproductive issues that threaten this goal and cause divisions.

"As a close ally and partner of Montenegro, the USA will continue to support and recognize the constructive actions of the Assembly and the Government, highlighting activities that are contrary to Euro-Atlantic values ​​and endanger tangible progress towards integration. in the European Union", said the American Embassy in a response to REL.

Even the European Union reacted after the vote in the Parliament of Montenegro. Through a media release, the bloc said it is essential that political forces in Montenegro continue to act constructively to build the consensus needed to advance EU-related reforms.

In the announcement of the European Commission, it was said that the changes in the Government are an internal matter of Montenegro. However, the EC said that full compliance with Brussels' foreign and security policy is essential for Montenegro's path to the EU.

"We strongly warn against any decision that could jeopardize the country's strategic path towards the EU, which is supported by the vast majority of Montenegrin citizens," the EU said.

Among the countries of the region, Montenegro is a leader in the EU membership process. So far, he has been fully aligned with the EU's foreign and security policy, including sanctions against Russia in response to Brussels' aggression against Ukraine.

After a year-long stalemate, the country unblocked accession negotiations to the bloc at the end of June.

Otherwise, this is the first reformatting of the Spajiqi Government, which was formed at the end of October last year with the votes of 46 deputies out of 81 in total.

The government, at that time, was supported by 13 MPs from the recently dissolved DF parties - namely Andrija Mandić's New Serbian Democracy and Milan Knezhević's People's Democratic Party - on the condition that they join the Government this year.

The policy of these parties is contrary to the official policy of Montenegro, which is a candidate country for membership in the European Union.

These parties support the lifting of sanctions against Russia - imposed due to its aggression in Ukraine - do not recognize the independence of Kosovo, are opposed to Montenegro's membership in NATO, deny the genocide in Srebrenica, support convicted war criminals, Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić, etc.

In addition to supporting the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, the leaders of these parties have close political relations with the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and with the president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.

The USA, in some cases, has expressed concern about the inclusion in power of parties that oppose Euro-Atlantic values.

European institutions have expressed similar concerns.

However, the Assembly of Montenegro has elected Andrija Mandiq as president at the end of October 2023. He has also been supported by the representatives of the Spajiq Movement Europe Now./ REL