Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Montenegrin police uses pepper spray to disperse anti-government protesters

A protestor waves a flag on top of the breached barrier during a protest against the adoption of a law to limit presidential powers in Podgorica, Montenegro, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic

Montenegrin police used pepper spray to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital Podgorica who rallied against the adoption of law to limit presidential powers and the ruling coalition's failure to appoint judges to the constitutional court.

Protesters, largely members of pro-Montenegrin organisations, who rallied under the slogan "We Are Many," pelted police in front of the parliament building with rocks and signal flares, and attempted to break through a police barrier, before they were pushed away.

"What we made today was the blockade of Podgorica," said Predrag Vusurovic, an activist. He announced more rallies across the small Adriatic republic for Friday.

A protestor lights a flare during a protest against the adoption of a law to limit presidential powers in Podgorica, Montenegro, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic

Montenegro has been in political deadlock for months after its constitutional court was left without a quorum due to retirement of judges.

The court's blockage could make it difficult to organise next year’s presidential elections and early parliamentary elections.

The 81-seat parliament in which a heterogeneous coalition of pro-European and pro-Serb parties has a majority of one deputy, could not agree to appoint the new judges.

Protestors shout at police during a protest against the adoption of a law to limit presidential powers in Podgorica, Montenegro, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic

Last month, pro-Montenegrin organisations and opposition parties started anti-government protests in Podgorica, demanding elections, the unblocking of the court and the withdrawal of a law which curbs power of Montenegro's long-time President Milo Djukanovic.

Montenegro is a NATO member and a candidate to join the European Union.

Politics in the tiny Balkan republic of only 625,000 people has long been marked by a rift between those who identify as Montenegrins and those who see themselves as Serbs and oppose Montenegro's independence from a former state union with neighbouring and much larger Serbia.

Police officers stand during a protest against the passage of a law to limit presidential powers in Podgorica, Montenegro, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic

(Reporting by Stevo Vasiljevic, Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by David Gregorio)

A protestor stands in front of the police during a protest against the adoption of a law to limit presidential powers in Podgorica, Montenegro, December 12, 2022. REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.