Montenegro Changes Law That Angered Serbs and Helped Power Shift
Protesters wave Montenegro flags during a demonstration against the new government, in Podgorica, on Dec. 28.
Photographer: Savo Prelevic/AFP/Getty Images
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Montenegro changed its law on religion to remove the option of nationalizing church property after months of protests played a part in ending 30 years of dominance by President Milo Djukanovic’s political party.
Lawmakers loyal to the new government, which took office this month following August elections, changed the law. Under the original version, the local branch of the Serbian Orthodox Church -- the biggest denomination both in Montenegro and neighboring Serbia -- could lose some of its ancient monasteries, churches and land.