PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) – The new, pro-Serbian authorities of Montenegro have amended a law on religious rights and property that was passed by a previous government, but which strongly opposed the Serbian Orthodox Church, which months led protests against the bill.
Parliament approved the legislative amendments by 41 votes in the 81-member assembly early on Tuesday. The revised law was supported by the ruling pro-Serbian legislators while the Western opposition boycotted the session.
The changes abolished the sections on ownership demanded by the Serbian church to deprive it of its property in Montenegro despite repeated denials by the previous government.
Church-led marches against the law helped strengthen the pro-Serbian camp ahead of a parliamentary vote in August, which led to the expulsion of the Socialist Democratic Party.
Montenegro declared independence from a union with Serbia after a referendum in 2006. The people of the country remain divided over relations with Belgrade. About 30% of Montenegrins identify themselves as Serbs, and the Serbian Orthodox Church enjoys the greatest adherence to any organized religion.
The previous government, led by the DPS, drove Montenegro away from the influence of Serbia and Russia. The Adriatic nation joined NATO in 2017 and is seeking membership of the European Union.
Zdravko Krivokapic, the new prime minister of Montenegro, said on Twitter that the religious legislation corrects the injustice against the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Thousands of opponents of the changes gathered outside the parliament building on Monday, accusing the new government of pushing Montenegro back into Serbia’s grip. The protesters waved Montenegrin flags and “betrayed!” and “This is not Serbia!” No collisions were reported.