Constitution of Montenegro

The Constitution defines Montenegro as a civic, democratic and environmentally friendly country with social justice, established by the sovereign rights of its government.

[1][2] The Constitution identifies Montenegrin as the official language of the state, replacing Serbian after years of civil conflict.

55 of the 76 members present voted in favour,[1][3][4] the two-thirds supermajority was therefore achieved, and the Constitution duly ratified.

[1][3][4] The sole representative (and leader) of the Democratic Union of Albanians, Ferhat Dinoša, was abroad and unable to attend the session.

The SDP had refused to sign an agreement that approved a referendum to be held in six months to determine whether Malesija (Tuzi) would become a municipality.

It also established that the crosses will be removed from the flag and coat of arms of Montenegro, and the Venice Commission will supervise how the judicial council functions.

[6][7][8] Siništaj later reported that he believes that this Constitution was made for "future generations and better for tomorrow's Montenegro".

[9] Medojević said that this will be the Constitution of all citizens of Montenegro, and its approval will help the country gain admittance to the European Union.

[3] Predrag Popović, leader of the People's Party, said that he was unable to believe that Serbs would be limited to being classified as a national minority.

Decisions related to changes in constitutional status or to an alteration of borders are subject to a vote of the citizens of Montenegro exercised in a referendum.

The Constitution of the Principality of Montenegro was introduced in 1905 in an effort to secularize the realm and limit the monarch's rule.

Montenegro's flag was a red-light blue-white tricolor and a variation of the princedom's coat of arms, a double-headed eagle, was adopted as state.

All three major religions were recognized (Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Islam), and the Montenegrin Church sanctioned.