PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) – Montenegro’s new pro-Serbian authorities amended a law on religious and property rights that was passed by a previous government, but was strongly contested by the Serbian Orthodox Church, which sparked months of protests against the project.
Parliament on Tuesday approved legislative changes with 41 votes at the 81-member assembly. The revised law was supported by pro-Serbian lawmakers, while the pro-Western opposition boycotted the session.
The changes abolished the sections on property that the Serbian church insisted were aimed at removing their property in Montenegro, despite repeated denials from the previous government.
Church-led demonstrations against the law helped to strengthen the pro-Serbian camp before an August parliamentary vote that led to the overthrow of the long-running Democratic Socialist Party.
Montenegro declared independence from a union with Serbia after a 2006 referendum. The country’s residents remain divided over relations with Belgrade. About 30% of Montenegrins identify themselves as Serbs, and the Serbian Orthodox Church has the largest number of followers of any organized religion.
The previous government, led by the DPS, removed Montenegro from the influence of Serbia and Russia. The Adriatic nation joined NATO in 2017 and is seeking membership in the European Union.
Montenegro’s new prime minister, Zdravko Krivokapic, said on Twitter that changes in religious law “correct injustice” against the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Thousands of opponents of the changes gathered on Monday in front of the parliament building, accusing the new government of pushing Montenegro back into control of Serbia. Protesting Montenegrin flags, protesters shouted “Treason!” and “This is not Serbia!” No confrontations were reported.