Growing pains. Montenegro after 16 years of independence
Growing pains. Montenegro after 16 years of independence

Author(s): Łukasz Kobeszko
Subject(s): Political history, Government/Political systems, Political behavior, Politics and religion, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today)
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: Montenegro; Serbia; sovereignty; Independence; Difficult economic development;
Summary/Abstract: After 16 years of independence, there are no significant political forces in Montenegro that could openly challenge this status and seek to re-establish a federation with Serbia. However, the relationship with Serbia continues to be among the key issues shaping the young state’s politics. Its relations with Belgrade are the source of a protracted dispute between the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS), which had spent over three decades in power until 2020,and a Church-backed alliance of more than a dozen parties, mostly with a centre-right profile, united in their intention to remove DPS from power. The legacy of DPS, who view themselves as the founding fathers of Montenegrin independence, is associated with certain successes (the launch of accession talks with the EU, Montenegro joining NATO, the country’s economic development), but also has major drawbacks, such as the reduction of democratic standards, the concentration of economic and financial resources in the hands of the ruling elite, increased financial dependence on China and a rise in corruption and organised crime. Although a centre-right coalition has been in power in Montenegro since 2020, it is affected by instability resulting in high social polarization and by a conflict over the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church operating in the country, which is viewed as an instrument of leverage used by Serbia and as a regional centre of cultural influence associated with the “Serbian world”.

• Details
• Contents