Montenegro’s ex-economy minister Milatovic declares victory in presidential run-off
Podgorica, Montenegro Reuters Montenegro’s former economy minister Jakov Milatovic declared victory in a presidential election run-off on Sunday, over long-standing incumbent Milo Djukanovic, ending more than three decades of his rule in the small Balkan republic. Western-educated Milatovic, 37, the deputy head of the Europe Now movement, campaigned on pledges to curb graft, improve living […]
Montenegro holds pride march despite opposition from church
Podgorica, Montenegro AP Several hundred people on Saturday joined an LGBTQ pride march in Montenegro, held amid strong opposition from the influential Serbian Orthodox Church in the small conservative Balkan country. Montenegro’s 10th pride event was dubbed “No more buts,” reflecting demands that more be done to stem hate speech and harassment of LGBTQ community […]
Thousands march in Belgrade against planned gay pride parade
Belgrade, Serbia Reuters Thousands of religious and right-wing activists marched through Serbia’s capital on Sunday calling for authorities to ban a gay pride march planned for next weekend. The protesters – who carried a massive Serbian flag – included groups who also shouted slogans backing Serbia’s long-term ally Russia, as well as nationalistic and far-right […]
Serbian Orthodox church head publicly supports EuroPride ban
Belgrade, Serbia AP The head of Serbia’s powerful Orthodox Church on Tuesday supported a ban on a pan-European LGBTQ event due to take place in Belgrade next week, saying that the topic has been “artificially imposed” and threatens traditional values in the Balkan country. The special video statement by Patriarch Porfirije comes amid a heated […]
Montenegrin government falls over ties with Serbian Church
Podgorica, MontenegroAP The Montenegrin Government fell in a no-confidence vote early Saturday that followed a rift over relations with the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church. Lawmakers voted 50 to one to oust the government of Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic just weeks after he signed an agreement regulating the position of the Serbian church in Montenegro. The […]
Montenegro government church deal triggers initiative for no-confidence motion
Podgorica, Montenegro Reuters Several political parties initiated a parliamentary no-confidence motion in the Montenegro’s government after it signed a long-disputed contract regulating the country’s ties with the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church on Wednesday. Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic has insisted the deal would resolve a long-standing domestic problem and help heal deep divisions between pro-European Union parties […]
Churches of Serbia, North Macedonia, end decades-old dispute
Skopje, North Macedonia AP The head of Serbia’s Orthodox Church said Tuesday that he would recognise the full independence of the church in neighbouring North Macedonia, signaling an end to a decades-old religious dispute. The Macedonian Church unilaterally announced its independence, or autocephaly, from the Serbian Church in 1967, while the two predominantly Orthodox republics […]
Head of Serbian Orthodox Church tests positive for virus
Belgrade, Serbia AP Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, has tested positive for COVID-19, the church said Tuesday, amid a surge in infections in the country and elsewhere in the Balkan region. Porfirije has developed “very mild symptoms of the virus infection” and remains in home isolation, said the statement. It added […]
Stop secessionist rhetoric or face sanctions, EU tells Bosnian Serb leaders
Reuters The Bosnian Serb leadership risks sanctions and a loss of aid should it continue to incite tensions among Bosnian communities with inflammatory rhetoric as used during the celebrations of its statehood day on Sunday, the EU said on Monday. The 9th January marks the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared independence, triggering a […]
Police clash with opponents of Serbian church in Montenegro
Cetnje, MontenegroAP Arriving in a military helicopter, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro was inaugurated in the state’s old capital on Sunday amid clashes between police and protesters who oppose continued Serb influence in the tiny Balkan nation. Hospital officials in the city of Cetinje said at least 60 people were injured, […]