Anti-government protests spread across the Balkans.
Montenegro President Milo Djukanovic speaks and gestures during an interview with The Associated Press in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Thursday, April 4, 2019. The pro-Western president of Montenegro, who has defied Russia to steer his small country into NATO, has warned that the integration of Western Balkans into the EU is crucial for the bloc to protect itself from growing Russian and Chinese political and economic influence in the region.
The "Envelope Affair" has triggered weeks of anti-Djukanovic protests, demanding the resignation of one of Europe's longest-lasting leaders after his almost 30 years in power. While none of the protests so far have managed to unseat Balkan leaders, they have encouraged civic resistance and shaken their firm grip on power and the support they have been receiving in the West.
Djukanovic suggested the protests are aimed at unseating pro-EU leaders and turning the Balkans away from the West in favor of closer ties with Russia. "The trigger was that envelope which was given by a businessman who belonged to the heart of the regime to the former Podgorica mayor, with the intention to bribe voters" in 2016 parliamentary"Our goal is the change of the regime," he said. "A peaceful transition from a corrupt regime that has been in power for 30 years and which has won elections through bribery and rigging.
The incidents were the first in months of peaceful marches throughout the country that started after thugs beat up an opposition politician in November. The demonstrators are demanding Vucic's resignation, free elections and media, and more democracy. They plan a major rally next week in Belgrade to press for their demands.
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