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Podgorica, Montenegro: On December 3, 2025, Montenegro’s young government crumbled like a house of cards.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s Team lost a nail-biting no-confidence vote in parliament by a single tally: 41 against, 40 for.

It lasted only 104 days – the shortest in the nation’s history.

For a country known for its stunning beaches and mountains, this political drama feels like a storm cloud over paradise.

We are focusing on one big story: the collapse of the government.

No side tangents – just clear facts, fresh updates from December 4, and how it hits your daily life.

In Montenegro, politics matters to everyone, from beach vendors to young job seekers.

Why Did It Happen? The Simple Breakdown

Spajić’s Europe Now Movement (PES) promised significant changes after winning the 2023 elections: better jobs, lower taxes, and EU membership by 2028.

They formed a shaky team with 42 seats in the 81-seat parliament, relying on small parties from ethnic groups such as Albanians and Bosniaks.

However, cracks showed fast:

A Controversial Bill: The “Lex FBI” idea aimed to protect officials helping foreign probes into corruption. Critics called it a shield for the powerful – like letting crooks walk free. Junior partners pulled out in anger.
Neighbor Fights: A long-standing dispute between Croatia and Serbia over sea borders and minority rights has blocked EU talks. Croatia’s “veto” in the EU frustrated pro-Europe voters.
Money Pressures: A power plant shutdown for repairs resulted in a 30-40% spike in electricity bills this winter. The 2026 budget could not pass due to opposition boycotts, leaving wages and services in limbo.

Opposition groups, such as the Democratic Front, seized the opportunity and voted no.

Spajić called it a “sad day for democracy” but vowed to fight on.

Now, the government is out – no more decisions until a fix is made.

Fresh News From December 4: Dust Settles, But Tensions Rise

As of today (December 4, 2025), President Jakov Milatović – a PES ally but lately at odds with Spajić – has 30 days to act.

He can name a new PM or call snap elections, likely in February or March 2026.

Last night, he urged calm talks on TV: “This is a bump, not the end of our EU road.”

Key updates:

Parliament Frozen: Boycotts Continue – No Quorum for Votes on Urgent Bills, Including Public Pay and the Budget. Protests popped up in Podgorica, with students chanting for fair reforms.
Public Mood on Social Media: Folks are sharing frustrations online. One viral post sums it up: “Government down, bills up – when do we get stability?” Views are climbing fast.
EU Watching Closely: The bloc’s November report hailed Montenegro as a “frontrunner,” but diplomats whisper this stalls rule-of-law progress. Croatia’s border beef adds fuel.

No new votes have been cast yet, but expect more noise.

Milatović’s office says cross-party chats start soon.

How This Hits Your Pocket And Plans: Real-Life Effects

This is not just suits arguing – it ripples to you:

Bills and Jobs: Public workers (teachers, nurses) face pay delays. Unemployment stands at 11.2%, and without a budget, new hires are stalled. Tourism – the star with 3 million visitors so far – might wobble if chaos scares tourists.
Rising Costs: Inflation’s mild at 2.9%, but power hikes hurt families. Debt is at 78% of GDP, so more loans could mean future cuts.
EU Hopes on Hold: 62% of Montenegrins want in for better safety nets and work abroad. This mess delays court fixes, and anti-graft rules the EU demands.

Here is a quick table of the economic pinch:

What Hurts Most	Why Now?	Silver Lining
Electricity Bills	Power plant offline – up 30-40%	Subsidies eyed if budget passes soon
Job Security	No new hires without votes	Tourism steady at 3M visitors YTD
Wallet Squeeze	Debt at 78% GDP	Growth at 3% from FDI (€1.1B so far)
EU Delays	Border fights + boycotts	Still “frontrunner” per EU report

What Is Next? Three Straightforward Paths

No one knows for sure, but experts sketch these:

Temporary Team (15% Chance): A short fix to pass the budget and ease pain. Tough with boycotts.
Snap Elections (70% Chance): Early 2026 vote. PES leads polls at 28%, but pro-Serbian groups gain ground due to price anger.
Unlikely Deal (15% Chance): PES teams with old foes. Bad blood makes it rare.

If gridlock persists, it risks rekindling old ethnic tensions, as seen in Bosnia.

However, polls show that trust in parties is at just 19% – leaving room for fresh voices from civic groups.