2020–2022 Montenegrin Anti-Government protests
Part of 2022 Montenegrin crisis
Date5 September 2020 – 4 February 2022
Location
Montenegro
Caused by
Goals
  • Prevention of the adoption of the new citizenship law
  • Resignation of the government
  • Relocation of the enthronement ceremony for Joanikije II from Cetinje elsewhere.
MethodsMotorcades, Protest marches, road block protests, civil disobedience
Resulted in
Parties

Anti-government protesters

Opposition parties involved

Supporting opposition parties
Lead figures

Tatjana Knežević-Perišić
Andrija Popović
Miodrag Živković

In April 2021, a wave of protests, dubbed by its organizers as the Montenegrin Spring,[8][9] or the Montenegrin Response or Montenegrin Answer,[10][11][12] was launched in Montenegro against the announced adoption of regulations that will make it easier to acquire Montenegrin citizenship, but also take away the citizenship of some Montenegrin emigrants, which the protesters consider as an "attempt of the government to change the ethnic structure of Montenegro" and against the Krivokapić Cabinet, which the protesters accuse of being "treacherous" and the "satellite of Serbia".[13]

Background

Late 2020 protests

After the fall of the DPS cabinet from the position of power it had held in previous years, in the aftermath of the clerical protests and the 2020 parliamentary election, numerous Montenegrin nationalist political subjects organized mass rallies in Cetinje and in the capital Podgorica, in support of DPS, due to what they perceived as a "threat to Montenegrin statehood and independence".[14] The rallies were marked by inappropriate messages to leaders and members of some parties of the new majority, who were labeled as "traitors" and "chetnik scoundrels". The use of Montenegrin nationalist rhetoric was criticized by other sectors of Montenegrin society.[15][16] On 4 December 2020, the Krivokapić Cabinet, led by Zdravko Krivokapić was formed, and already in the same month, the government announced the removal of the controversial points from the religious properties law, sparking a new protest.[17]

Nationality law

The current Montenegrin nationality law is very strict and prohibits dual citizenship except in some special situations. In addition, it is necessary to reside continuously in Montenegro for ten years in order to apply for citizenship. Many citizens who came as refugees 30 years ago still don't have the issue of citizenship resolved. Most MPs of the previous opposition parties (at that time, part of the coalition government) assessed the law as "rigid and discriminatory", especially towards Serbs, because by law they cannot obtain Montenegrin citizenship if they are citizens of Serbia. 63,746 foreigners live in Montenegro, which is about ten percent of the total population. Of these, 30,930 were granted the status of foreigners with permanent residence because they have lived there for years and are potential winners of citizenship, while 32,816 people have been granted temporary residence in Montenegro.[18]

In March 2021, the government announced adoption of regulations that would make it easier to acquire Montenegrin citizenship. The government claimed that it only corrected the injustices of the former government towards citizens who could not obtain Montenegrin citizenship because they were "politically ineligible". They also argued they would finally sort out the voters list, which has been the target of criticism for years, and remove from the list the Montenegrin citizens who have lived permanently in other countries for decades, while they retain the right to vote on temporary work. As a response, the opposition claims that it was tantamount to the "Serbianisation of Montenegro", because the liberalization of citizenship, as they claim, would soon give citizenships to tens of thousands of people from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia, while many Montenegrin emigrants would lose their voting rights.[19]

Protests

On 8 April 2021, protests and "car protests" were held in multiple Montenegrin cities. Along with Montenegrin flags and other national symbols, those gathered chanted, "It's not our government!", "We will defend Montenegro from enemies these days!" "This is not Serbia", "Kosovo is next to Serbia" with insulting messages sent to the government ministers.[20]

Bogetići blocade

At the exit from Nikšić, the main road to Podgorica was blocked, because a group of demonstrators was stopped by the police. On that occasion, there was an incident in which a government vehicle also participated. Two protesters climbed on the hood of the vehicle, not allowing him to pass. However, the driver of the official vehicle started and both protesters fell on the asphalt. Later, it was announced that a passenger in the car was the daughter of the Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić,[21] who responded to this incident by calling an incident an "attack on a government vehicle", stating that will not allow "savagery and lawlessness", as well as accusing President Milo Đukanović as the main culprit of the protests and tensions.[22] At the same location, protesters attacked and injured two members of the Montenegrin army who provoked protestors by showing Serbian three-finger salute.

The protesters blocked the Podgorica–Nikšić road again on 9 and 10 April, for which the Nikšić police prosecuted two people, and filed misdemeanor charges against nine other people. On 11 April, around ten protests attacked and beat up a bystander in Berane.[23]

On 9 May, the incident in Bogetići received its first epilogue - the Department for Internal Control of Police Work determined that there was a grounded suspicion that a police officer from the Nikšić Police Station, SG and an officer of the Police Administration (UP) - the driver of the protected person Dražen Jeknić acted unprofessionally while securing the route and driving the Government car in which the daughter of Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić was.[24]

The total roadblock of Podgorica-Niksic road was temporarily dismissed after days of protests, after the controversial bylaws were removed from the Government sessions.[25]

May 2021

In period between September 2020 and end of April 2021, 152 pro-Montenegrin gatherings and protests were registered by the Ministry of Interior Affairs, which involved 130,000 people (21% of Montenegro's population).[26] The 15th anniversary of Montenegrin independence was organized by the citizens' initiative in Ivanova Korita locality, Mount Lovcen National Park. It gathered together 65,000 people, which represents over 10% of the country's population. The same day the biggest Montenegrin flag was revealed (5000 m2 in size).[27][28]

June 2021

The protests took an unexpected turn and their character transformed from nationalist to anti-fascist, following an incident that took place in Nikšić in the evening of 12 June 2021. when an older man urinated on the statue of the national hero Ljubo Čupić on the central square of the city, in front of many passers-by.[29] The incident caused a public outrage and was condemned by most of the major political parties, the president of the country, and the president of the parliament, as well as partially condemned by the mayor of Nikšić and the prime minister.[30][31][32][33] In the following days, protests were held in Nikšić at the place of the incident, as well as in Cetinje and Podgorica. These were organized mainly by SUBNOR, but also the former protesters who participated in the previous wave of said protests.[34][35][36]

July 2021

Several protests occurred in Montenegro triggered by Vesna Bratić's mass dismissal of all elementary and high school principals by decree and appointment of personnel associated with the clerical protest of 2020.[37][38]

Protests against enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije Mićović in Cetinje

The civil unrest was refueled in early August 2021, after prime minister Zdravko Krivokapić formally announced that the solemn enthronement (installment) of the new Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral (Serbian Orthodox Church), Joanikije Mićović would be held in the Cetinje Monastery on 4 September 2021 (later postponed to September 5th).[39] Fearing for the security of the future Metropolitan and the country as a whole, some politicians began to question the location of the enthronement ceremony, with some proposing that it should be held in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Podgorica.[40]

The residents of Cetinje, a pro-Montenegrin historical capital of the country, began holding protests and rallies against the enthronement of Joanikije in Cetinje branding it an "act of occupation" as well as in support of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church; the rallies were attended by senior representatives of the DPS and other political forces.[41][42][43]

Protests began on 4 September with predominantly Montenegrin nationalist protesters setting up barricades at the town's entrance in order to prevent the Patriarch and Metropolitan from reaching the monastery.[44] President Milo Đukanović came to Cetinje to show support for the protest together with his opposition DPS members, calling on the government to cancel the enthronement ceremony, warning that it could trigger violence.[45]

On 5 September, both the Metropolitan and the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije were flown to Cetinje by helicopter and then led into the monastery by heavily armed riot police holding bulletproof vests over their bodies to protect them, as riot police used tear gas to disperse protesters who hurled rocks and bottles at them and fired guns into the air.[46] No fewer than 20 people were injured and police arrested more than a dozen people, including the security advisor to President Milo Đukanović, Veselin Veljović for an attack on police.[44][47][48] President Đukanović, who had recommended that the inauguration of Joanikije be held in a place other than in Cetinje, and encouraged protesters to disrupt his inauguration, said that the enthronement was the government's Pyrrhic victory and "a great embarrassment of the Serbian Church and the government of Montenegro", while prime minister Zdravko Krivokapić called the violence in Cetinje "attempted acts of terrorism" on the part of the president's activists.[49][50][51] Serbia's president Aleksandar Vučić praised the Montenegrin government's action to secure the ceremony in Cetinje.[45]

Diaspora reaction

Diaspora associations and individuals

The nationality law change attempt provoked a strong reactions by members of the Montenegrin diaspora. The Union of Swiss Montenegrins sent a protest letter to Krivokapic's cabinet and called on boycott of diplomatic representatives. They also called a hold on dotations and aid by the diaspora to Montenegro, which is estimated to be 0.9 billion euros.[52] Forty-six associations of Montenegrins from 18 countries from Europe, Oceania, North and South America signed a common declaration which condemned what they called a "[p]erfidious attempt to change the ethnic and political map of Montenegro".[53]

On 10 May, 50 Montenegrin Diaspora Organizations, Associations and prominent individuals submitted an appeal letter to Oana Cristina Popa, EU Delegation representative to Montenegro, asking for assistance and support for "constitutionally and legally guaranteed civil rights and freedoms".[54]

Protests outside Montenegro

On 1 May, Montenegrin emigrants organized a motorcade through downtown Chicago, as a sign of support for patriotic rallies in Montenegro.[55]

In Luxembourg, Montenegrin expats organized a rally and motorcade to commemorate the Independence day of Montenegro and also to raise awareness on recent Nationality Law developments.[56][57] Around 7000 expats and emigrants from Montenegro live in Luxembourg.[58] A patriotic motorcade was held in New York City on 27 June 2021, organized by Diaspora, where Montenegrin Americans expressed their support for "progressive forces that defend the fundamental values of civil, secular and anti-fascist Montenegro".[59]

References

  1. ↑ ""The selective justice that happens in Montenegro after the elections will not lead to anything good"". Antena M (in Montenegrin). Antena M. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "FCJK protests". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Montenegrin). 8 March 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "No public hearings in Montenegro for the Law on Prosecution". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "The European Commission called on the two sides to exercise restraint and said that any change in citizenship legislation must be carried out in broad consultation and with respect for European Union law". DW.de. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "How the technocratic Government works: Revanchism at the expense of public health of the citizens of Montenegro". CDM (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Durović, Aneta (19 June 2021). "Along With the crisis of the Government, the Montenegrin Parliament is in the blockade". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Montenegrin). Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "MPs adopt interpellations for dismissal of Bratic, Stijovic and Radulovic; Prosecutorial Council members elected". CDM.
  8. ↑ "Komite najavljuju 'Crnogorsko proleće'" [Committees announce 'Montenegrin spring']. Vesti online (in Montenegrin). 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Crnogorsko proljeće: Jedan dom! Jedna zastava! Jedna himna! • senat.me". SENAT.me (in Montenegrin). 4 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "Izazovi crnogorskog 'odgovora'" [Challenges of Montenegrin 'response']. Analitika (in Montenegrin). 4 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "CRNOGORSKI ODGOVOR: Pokažimo da smo dostojni potomci naših predaka!" [Montenegrin Response: Let's show that we are worthy descendants of our ancestors!]. Antena M (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  12. ↑ "Crnogorski odgovor danas u podne ispred Skupštine" [Montenegrin response today at noon in front of the Assembly]. CDM.me (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Protesti ispred zgrade Vlade Crne Gore zbog najavljenog usvajanja propisa o državljanstvu" [Protests in front of the Government of Montenegro building due to the announced adoption of regulations on citizenship]. Danas (in Serbian). 8 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  14. ↑ "Na Cetinju pjevali Tompsonovu 'Bojna Čavoglave'" [Thompson's 'Battle of Čavoglave' sung in Cetinje]. vijesti.me (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  15. ↑ Vijeće studenata FPN: Iznenađeni smo stavom i terminologijom onih od kojih učimo, Vijesti, 8 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020
  16. ↑ 'Apel za očuvanje građanskog sklada': Da se spuste zastave, djelom doprinijeti građanskoj CG, Vijesti, 9 September 2020
  17. ↑ "Stotine građana na demonstracijama u Podgorici" [Hundreds of citizens at demonstrations in Podgorica]. balkans.aljazeera.net (in Bosnian). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  18. ↑ "Vlada Crne Gore donela olakšice za sticanje državljanstva" [The Government of Montenegro has brought facilities for acquiring citizenship]. Danas (in Serbian). 26 March 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  19. ↑ "Crna Gora: politička kriza bez kraja" [Montenegro: endless political crisis] (in Serbian). Deutsche Welle. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  20. ↑ Janković, Srđan (8 April 2021). "Protest i incident u Crnoj Gori, Vlada odložila razmatranje državljanstva" [Protest and incident in Montenegro, the Government postponed consideration of citizenship]. Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Bosnian). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  21. ↑ "Protesters attack Montenegrin PM Krivokapic's car". intellinews.com. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  22. ↑ "KRIVOKAPIĆ OPTUŽIO ĐUKANOVIĆA ZA DANAŠNJE OKUPLJANJE ISPRED ZGRADE VLADE" [Krivokapić Accuses Đukanović of Today's Gathering in front of the Government Building]. Mondo.Me Prod (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  23. ↑ "DESET KOMITA NAPALO I TUKLO MLADIĆA: Krvavi incident tokom 'vožnje', mučki napad pristalica DPS-a" [Ten Komits Attacked and Beaten Young People: Bloody incident during 'driving', fierce attack by DPS supporters]. Novosti (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  24. ↑ "BOGETICI: Driver and policeman outside the regulations". Luca (in Montenegrin). Portal Luca. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  25. ↑ ""LET'S WITHDRAW FOR A PERIOD OF TIME" The blockade of traffic on Bogetići is suspended until further notice "We are only defending the state that we acquired with difficulty on May 21. Let the Government know that this is the greatest victory of the Montenegrin people," said Dragan Nikčević". Vijesti. Vijesti. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  26. ↑ Emerging Europe: Ko je pravni nasljednik do 1918. autokefalne Crnogorske crkve?. "Interior Minister Sergej Sekulović said that since August 2020, there have been a total of 152 gatherings, organized mainly on social networks, which have attracted about 130,000 people. All this in a country of 622,000 inhabitants". Antena M (in Montenegrin). Antena M. Retrieved 15 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ↑ "Montenegro celebrates the Independence Day, 65 000 people told from Ivanova Korita 'We love our country'". Aktuelno.me (in Montenegrin). Aktuelno.me. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  28. ↑ "Independence Day: 65000 citizens celebrated at Ivanova Korita". Senat.me (in Montenegrin). Senat.me. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  29. ↑ "Hapšenje u Nikšiću zbog skrnavljenja spomenika Ljubu Čupiću". Radio Slobodna Evropa. 13 June 2021.
  30. ↑ "Đukanović: Skrnavljenje spomenika Ljubu Čupiću je sramota za savremenu Crnu Goru". 13 June 2021.
  31. ↑ "Bečić: Primitivizam moramo pobjeđivati na svakom koraku".
  32. ↑ "Premijer Krivokapić osudio skrnavljenje spomenika Ljubu Čupiću".
  33. ↑ "Kovačević: Loše što se ovo desilo u centru grada i na javnom mjestu".
  34. ↑ ""Čin fašizma da zabrine svakog građanina"".
  35. ↑ "Protest u Nikšiću: Ljubo dao život za slobodu, a kako mu vraćaju oni koji u njoj uživaju".
  36. ↑ "Protest u PG zbog skrnavljenja spomenika Ljuba Čupića: "Apostolsko-ekspertska vlado, dosta je"".
  37. ↑ "Protest over the appointment of school principals, the SDP submitted an interpellation for the removal of Minister Bratic". VOA. VOA News. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  38. ↑ "City of Bar: Protest over appointment in education, demand resignation of Bratic". VOA. VOA News.
  39. ↑ "Krivokapić: Ustoličenje Joanikija 4. septembra na Cetinju, doći ću bez obezbjeđenja". Vijesti (in Montenegrin). 10 August 2021.
  40. ↑ "Knežević: Vijeće i Savjet će odlučiti da li će Joanikije biti ustoličen na Cetinju ili u Podgorici". Vijesti (in Montenegrin). 24 August 2021.
  41. ↑ "Hiljade Crnogoraca na protestima protiv ustoličenja mitropolita". Al Jazeera Balkans (in Montenegrin). 22 August 2021.
  42. ↑ "Skup protivnika ustoličenja vladike Joanikija na Cetinju: To bi bio pristanak na okupaciju". Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 22 August 2021.
  43. ↑ "Protest protiv ustoličenja Joanikija na Cetinju". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Montenegrin). 22 August 2021.
  44. 1 2 "Protests as Montenegro's new Orthodox head inaugurated". Al Jazeera. 5 September 2021.
  45. 1 2 "Serbian Church Enthronement Sparks Clashes in Montenegro". Balkan Insight. 5 September 2021.
  46. ↑ Milic, Predrag (5 September 2021). "Police clash with opponents of Serbian church in Montenegro". ABC News. Associated Press.
  47. ↑ "Montenegro clashes as Serb Orthodox Church leader installed". BBC. 5 September 2021.
  48. ↑ "BLOG UŽIVO: Kamenice, suzavac, pucnji – završen čin ustoličenja na Cetinju". N1 (in Bosnian). 5 September 2021.
  49. ↑ "Đukanović: Nasilno ustoličenje je Pirova pobjeda Vlade CG". Al Jazeera Balkans (in Bosnian). 30 October 2020.
  50. ↑ Dedović, Dragoslav (6 September 2021). "Križ iza pancirnog zaklona". Deutsche Welle.
  51. ↑ Vasiljevic, Stevo (5 September 2021). "Dozens injured in anti-Serbian protests in Montenegro". Reuters.
  52. ↑ "The Diaspora in Switzerland called for an end to donations and assistance to Montenegro". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). RTCG. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  53. ↑ "Perfidious attempt to change the ethnic and political map of Montenegro, Diaspora Claims". RTCG.me (in Montenegrin). RTCG. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  54. ↑ "Diaspora wrote Popa: Help us keep the right to vote in Montenegro". CDM (in Montenegrin). CDM.
  55. ↑ "Support for patriotic rallies in Montenegro from Chicago". Antena M (in Montenegrin). Antena M. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  56. ↑ "Patriotska auto-kolona u Njujorku". standard.co.me. 27 June 2021.
  57. ↑ "In Luxembourg, a motorcade in honor of the Independence Day of Montenegro". CDM (in Montenegrin). CDM. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  58. ↑ "Estimates: 7000 Montenegrins live in Luxembourg". rs.n1info.com (in Serbian). 28 January 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  59. ↑ "U Njujorku crnogorska patriotska auto kolona: Za sekularnu i antifašističku Crnu Goru". cdm.me. 27 June 2021.
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