Montenegrin diaspora identity and administrative issues

The Montenegrin diaspora is experiencing internal community conflicts and administrative challenges regarding their relationship with the state.

In Australia, a dispute has emerged between two diaspora organizations over identity and legitimacy. The Montenegrin Ethnic Association of Australia has accused a newer entity, the Montenegrin Ethnic Community of Australia Inc., of a “gross attempt to steal its identity” and using social media to cause confusion. The newer group has rejected these claims, asserting they are a distinct, legally incorporated association in Victoria.

Concurrently, Montenegrin citizens abroad are reporting increasing administrative hurdles when attempting to exercise rights within Montenegro. Despite assurances from Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, expatriates have expressed fears that the state may be removing them from official records due to foreign residency. Specific instances include citizens being denied the ability to register residential addresses in Montenegro because of their status as residents abroad.