Montenegro PM Milojko Spajić Facing Calls to Resign Over Alleged Serbian Armed Forces Reserve Status

This issue is of critical importance in constitutional and legal terms. The Head of Government of Montenegro automatically chairs the Defence and Security Council—the supreme body directing the nation's armed forces and coordinating intelligence cooperation within NATO structures. According to Knežević, the fact that the person leading the Montenegrin defence system might simultaneously be formally bound by an oath or reservist obligations to a militarily neutral, yet politically Moscow-aligned Serbia, poses a direct threat to sovereignty and state secrets.

"Spajić no longer possesses either the moral or legal legitimacy to hold the office of Prime Minister. The parliamentary majority must immediately re-evaluate his position, and the Prime Minister himself ought to place himself at the disposal of the prosecution services," stated the DNP leader, adding that the documents were leaked by "disillusioned members" of Spajić's party, the Europe Now Movement (PES).

Spajić's Response: "Executing Orders from Belgrade"

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić's response arrived swiftly. The head of government firmly rejected all allegations, characterising them as a groundless fabrication and part of a hybrid warfare strategy aimed at stalling Montenegro's European integration.

Spajić commented sharply on Knežević's stance, describing him as a former talented orator who is now merely an "uncritical executor of orders from his informal master in Belgrade". In doing so, the Prime Minister directly implied that Serbian intelligence services and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić were behind the attack, perturbed by Podgorica's pro-Western trajectory.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Spajić's past and connections to Serbia have become a flashpoint. Prior to the 2023 presidential election, Spajić was struck off the candidate list by the State Election Commission after it was revealed he held a Serbian passport and a registered address in Belgrade—which contradicted Montenegrin electoral law. At the time, the situation was saved by his party colleague Jakov Milatović, who stepped in as a replacement candidate and ultimately won the presidency.

Escalation of Tensions Between Podgorica and Belgrade

Knežević's allegations align with a broader, long-standing crisis in diplomatic relations between Montenegro and Serbia. Just a week before the military reserve controversy erupted, a sharp exchange took place on X (formerly Twitter) between Spajić and President Vučić. Vučić accused the authorities in Podgorica of deliberately attempting to damage bilateral relations and seeking to "re-educate" the Serbian minority in Montenegro.

Spajić replied that Montenegro was not seeking conflict, but was pursuing a clear and transparent pro-European policy that Vučić refused to accept. The Montenegrin Prime Minister called out the Serbian President for applying double standards—acting as a "PR man for Russia" on the international stage whilst quietly exporting Serbian arms and ammunition to Ukraine. These remarks sparked outrage in Belgrade, with the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, Ana Brnabić, accusing Podgorica of hostility towards the Serbian nation.

Fractures in the Governing Camp and the Spectre of Crisis

The current scandal also exposes deep divisions within the Montenegrin governing coalition itself. Spajić came to power following parliamentary elections by forging a complex and heterogeneous coalition. To secure a majority, he had to reach an agreement with pro-Serbian factions (including the "For the Future of Montenegro" coalition, of which Knežević's DNP is a member). In exchange for supporting the government, representatives of these forces—led by Andrija Mandić—secured key positions, including the speakership of parliament.

At the same time, tensions have been building for months between Prime Minister Spajić and President Jakov Milatović, who left the PES movement over disagreements regarding cabinet appointments and foreign policy. In light of current events, Knežević has publicly questioned whether Milatović was aware of Spajić's alleged military status in Serbia, further straining relations between the country's two most senior politicians.

Undermining the Prime Minister's credibility on matters of national security and allegiance to the NATO alliance could lead to severe decision-making paralysis. Should the opposition and sceptical coalition partners demand an official parliamentary or prosecutorial investigation, the stability of Spajić's government will be thrown into serious doubt.