PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) – Montenegro’s new, pro-Serbian authorities have amended a law on religious rights and property passed by a previous government but strongly opposed by the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has protested for months on end against the bill led.
Parliament approved the legislative changes early Tuesday with 41 votes in the 81-member assembly. The revised law was supported by the ruling pro-Serbian lawmakers, while the pro-Western opposition boycotted the seat.
The changes abolished the sections on property that the Serbian Church insisted were intended to dispose of its properties in Montenegro, despite repeated denials by the previous government.
Church-led rallies against the law helped strengthen the pro-Serbian camp in the run-up to a parliamentary vote in August that led to the ousting of the long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists.
Montenegro declared independence from a union with Serbia after a 2006 referendum. The country’s inhabitants remain divided over relations with Belgrade. About 30% of the Montenegrins identify themselves as Serbs, and the Serbian Orthodox Church enjoys the largest following of all organized religions.
The previous government, led by the DPS, turned Montenegro away from the influence of Serbia and Russia. The Adriatic nation joined NATO in 2017 and is aiming for membership in the European Union.
Montenegro’s new Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic said on Twitter that the religious law changes “rectify 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. Waving Montenegrin flags, the protesters chanted “Treason!” and “This is not Serbia!” No collisions were reported.