Montenegro’s Democratic People’s Party (DNP) announced on Friday that it is withdrawing its support from the government of Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, following the resignations of two senior party officials.
The party’s leadership accepted the resignations of Transport Minister Maja Vukićević and Deputy Prime Minister Milun Zogović, which were submitted to parliament on Friday, DNP President Milan Knežević said at a news conference.
“From today, DNP will act solely as an opposition group in both the national and Podgorica city parliaments,” Knežević said.
The DNP leadership also tasked Knežević with initiating talks with the leader of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD), Andrija Mandić, on the future of the “For the Future of Montenegro” coalition. Knežević said relations with Mandić would remain friendly even if the coalition dissolves.
Knežević said the party had previously raised concerns over unfulfilled commitments made by Spajić’s government, including legislation on state symbols, dual citizenship, and the status of the Serbian language in Montenegro. He described the government’s refusal to act on these demands as a sign it did not want the DNP in office.
The party also announced plans to submit proposed amendments to the Law on State Symbols and the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship to parliament, including recognition of the historical tricolor as a national flag.
Knežević criticized reports suggesting that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić influenced the DNP’s decision, calling such claims “false and misleading.” He added that his communications with Vučić were limited to a discussion about a football match.
Local residents from Botun, who have protested against a planned wastewater treatment plant, gathered outside DNP offices to show support for the party. Knežević praised their participation and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to environmental and civic concerns.
The DNP said it would continue to adhere to the principles and promises made to its members and supporters, emphasizing that it had not compromised its ideology for government positions.