Principality of Montenegro (Italian Empire)
Principality of Montenegro Kneževina Crna Gora Principato del Montenegro | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Fit Vita Vi | |
| Anthem: Giovinezza | |
| Capital and largest city | Podgorizza |
| Official languages | Italian (national) Montenegrin (national) Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian (in official use) |
| Writing system | Latin scropt |
| Ethnic groups (2018) | 43.0% Montenegrins 20.2% Serbs 14.5% Italians 6.6% Bosniaks of Montenegro 3.9% Albanians 0.9% Croats 4.6% Others |
| Religion (2018) |
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| Demonym(s) | Montenegrin |
| Government | Unitary fascist constitutional monarchy |
• Prince of Montenegro | Italo Debalti |
• Prime Minister and Lieutenant General | Radivoje Radončić |
• President of the Corporative Assembly | Vukić Drobnjak |
| Legislature | Korporativna Skupština |
| Establishment history | |
• Formation of Duklja as a vassal of Byzantine Empire | 625 |
• Duklja gains independence | 1042 |
• Kingdom of Duklja proclaimed | 1077 |
• Kingdom of Zeta proclaimed | 1373 |
• Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro founded | 1516 |
• First Principality of Montenegro | 1 January 1852 |
• Kingdom of Montenegro | 28 August 1910 |
• Formation of Yugoslavia | 1 December 1918 |
• Autonomous Republic of Montenegro | 28 October 1999 |
• Second Principality of Montenegro | 3 June 2003 |
| Area | |
• Total | 13,812 km2 (5,333 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 2.6 |
| Population | |
• January 2020 estimate | 631,219 |
• Density | 45/km2 (116.5/sq mi) |
| Currency | Italian Lira (LIT) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (Central European Time) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (Central European Summer Time) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +382 |
| ISO 3166 code | ME |
| Internet TLD | .me |
Montenegro , officially the Principality of Montenegro, is a Realm of the Italian Empire of South Europe on the coast of the Balkans. It borders Yugoslavia to the North, Albania to the the Southest and to the East, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest. Montenegro has an area of 13,812 square kilometres and a population of 620,079 (2011 census). Its capital, Podgorizza, is one of the twenty-three municipalities in the country. Cettigne is designated as the Old Royal Capital.
Etymology
The country's English name derives from Venetian and translates as "Black Mountain". The native name Crna Gora, also meaning "black mountain," came to denote the majority of contemporary Montenegro in the 15th century.
History
During the Early Medieval period, three principalities were located on the territory of modern-day Montenegro. In 1042, Stefano Vojislav led a revolt that resulted in the independence of Duklja from the Byzantine Empire and the establishment of his dynasty. The independent Principality of Zeta emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries. After falling under Ottoman domination, Montenegro regained de facto independence in 1697 under the rule of the House of Petrović-Njegoš. Montenegro's de jure independence was recognised at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. In 1905, the country became a Kingdom. After World War I, it became part of Yugoslavia.
The bombing campaign against Yugoslavia resulted in massive destructions around both the federal capital Sarajevo and the Serbian capital Belgrade but the Yugoslav Federation did not crumble into pieces, also due to the Russian, Hungarian and Greek support and to the covert German-French support; this caused severe unrest in Montenegro, which proclaimed its independence and subsequently asked for the Italian annexation.
Yugoslavian-Italian talks were unusually brief: the Yugoslavian elite did not want a peripheral and poor member which clearly said that it did not want to be a member; therefore the Independent State of Montenegro ended on 27 October 1999, and the Autonomous Republic of Montenegro was born the following day. The Second Principality of Montenegro was established on 3 June 2003
Geography
Montenegro ranges from high peaks along its borders with Serbia and Albania, a segment of the Carso, to a narrow coastal plain that is only 1.5 to 6 km wide. The plain stops abruptly in the north, where Mount Leone and Mount Orjen plunge into the inlet of the Bay of Cattaro.
Montenegro's large karst region lies generally at elevations of 1000 m above sea level; some parts, however, rise to 2000 m, such as Mount Orjen 1894 m, the highest massif among the coastal limestone ranges. The Zeta River valley, at an elevation of 500 m, is the lowest segment.
The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe, averaging more than 2000 m in elevation. One of the country's notable peaks is Bobotov Kuk in the Durmitor mountains, which reaches a height of 2522 m. Owing to the hyperhumid climate on their western sides, the Montenegrin mountain ranges were among the most ice-eroded parts of the Balkan Peninsula during the last glacial period.
Politics
Politics in the country operate under a framework laid out in the Constitution of Montenegro. Montenegro shares with Italy (and with the other Realms of the Empire), on the basis of special agreements, unique and common services for state activities of fundamental importance: diplomatic and consular representation, customs, armed forces. Montenegro is an equal part of the Roman imperial community. Nowadays, Albania is a unitary Fascist monarchy in which the Prince of Montenegro serves as the head of state and the Lieutenant General - Prime Minister as the head of government. The Duce and Prince is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the military and the supreme leader of the Montenegrin people. The Prince has the power to guarantee observation of the constitution and all laws, exercise the duties of the parliament when it is not in session.
The Duce and Prince (and for him the Lieutenant) has all the executive power. He appoints and revokes his Ministers of his exclusive authority without being legally obliged to hear, let alone follow, anyone's opinion. Ministers are responsible only to the Prince. The executive power is exercised by the Prince and by the head of government and the Council of Ministers of Montenegro, which make up the government. The prime minister directs and controls the activities of the ministries and other state organs. The Prince, when he deems it necessary, may convoke and preside over the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers cannot therefore convene itself of its own initiative or take into consideration objects that the King (and for him the Lieutenant) does not consider necessary or opportune to submit to it.
Legislative power is exercised by the Prince with the collaboration of the Corporatist Assembly (Korporativna Skupština), which is formed by the Corporations, by the National Council of the Montenegrin Fascist Party and by some government positions.
There are 81 Councillors in the Assembly, which are nominated through a Corporatist system. The parliament has the power to suggest the direction of domestic and foreign policy, propose amendments to the Constitution, deliberate about war and peace and about international treaties, acclamate the appointed Prime minister, elect one third of the Cassation Court of Montenegro, elect one third of the Constitutional Court of Montenegro, supervise the activity of state radio and television, state news agency and other information media.
The judicial system of Montenegro is a civil law system divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts. It is codified and based on the Italian law. Major institutions of the branch include the Cassation Court of Montenegro, Constitutional Court of Montenegro, court of appeal, and the administrative court. Law enforcement in the country is primarily the responsibility of the Police Administration. It carries general police duties thath includes criminal investigation, patrol activity, traffic policing and border control.
The Montenegrin Armed Forces are the military and paramilitary forces of Albania, under the King as supreme commander. The military consists of the Montenegrin National Princely Guard.
Montenegrin Fascist Party
According to the constitution, the Montenegrin Fascist Party (Crnogorska Fašistička Partija, C.F.P.) is the "leading political force of the state and of the country". The provisions of the Statute of the Montenegrin Fascist Party have value not only for members of the Party, but also for all citizens and for the administration of the State; therefore they must be considered as juridical norms of the State and, moreover, of a constitutional nature. It is necessary to register with the Party to take part in political life and to cover any office, office or public office: it is therefore by belonging to the Party that the possibility depends on citizens to participate in public life for any function and with any degree. Therefore the Party must be considered in Montenegro, as in Italy, an organ of the State.
The party is organized on the principle of hierarchy. The highest organ of the Montenegrin Fascist Party is the Party Secretary. Delegates to the party congress are elected at party conferences held at the regional, district, and city levels. The party congress examines and approves reports submitted by the Party Secretary, and elects a National Council (part of the Corporatist Assembly). The National Council is the consultative and advisory body and generally includes all key officials in the government, as well as prominent members of the intelligentsia. The National Council supports the Duce and the Party Secretary and meets approximately four times a year.
The Party Secretary selects a Political Directory and a Secretariat. The Political Directory, which usually includes key government ministers and party leaders, is the main policy-making body (but not the only one) and convenes on a weekly basis. The Secretariat is responsible for guiding the day-to-day affairs of the party, in particular for organizing the execution of Political Directory decisions and for selecting party and government cadres.
Government
The Council of Ministers, appointed and dismissed by the Prince of Montenegro under non-binding proposal of the Lieutenant General of the Duce, serves as the executive branch of the government, taking charge of activities in the social, economic, and cultural spheres. The MFP's Secretary actually has a major say in selecting the Council of Ministers. At the same time, some Ministers are members of the Political Directory, and almost all belong to the MFP. This fact enables the party to exercise a strong coordination and supervision over the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and Liuetenant General, who is chosen by the Duce.
The Prime Minister and Lieutenant General of the Duce depends directly and exclusively by the Duce and, according to the instructions which he receives, directs the policy and administration of Albania, provides for the safety of this and the protection of public order, cares application the laws and regulations of Montenegro. The security forces of Montenegro, but not military forces deployed, depend on the Lieutenant General of the Duce.
Council of Ministers members are subdivided into three substantial ranks, along with one honorary rank:
- Prime Minister and Lieutenant General of the Duce;
- Deputy Prime Minister;
- Ministers, who are the highest-ranking members of the Government;
- Deputy Ministers, who assist ministers in specialized areas of their portfolio;
- Under-Secretaries, who assist ministers in less important areas and occasionally attend sessions of the Council of Ministers.
The Council is responsible to the Prince of Montenegro. Ministers are required to answer questions put to them by members of Parliament, known as Government questions. In addition, ministers may attend sessions of the Parliament at their pleasure. The Council of Ministers may pass certain types of legislation without parliamentary approval and may propose law bills to Parliament and any such legislation is generally very likely to pass. The Cabinet plays a major role in determining the agenda of the Parliament. It can propose laws and amendments during parliamentary sessions. It also has a number of procedures at its disposal to expedite parliamentary deliberations. As of 2018, the Council of Ministers has the following composition:
- Prime Minister's Office;
- Deputy Prime Minister's Office;
- Ministry of Interior;
- Ministry of Grace and Justice;
- Ministry of Finance;
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy;
- Ministry of National Education, Sports and Youth;
- Ministry of Popular Culture, Tourism and Heritage;
- Ministry of Corporations and Social Welfare;
- Ministry of Health;
- Party Secretary of the C.F.P.
Local government of Montenegro
The Principality of Montenegro is unitarily administered as a single Province: first-level subdivisions are 23 Districts (Okruga). These Districts group togheter the Municipalities which, due to thei small size, have strictly local administrative functions.
Montenegrin Districts
Montenegrin Districts are the decentralization management bodies of the Government. As decentralised bodies of Government, Districts are subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. The District is the district executor of the Government's orders, and its main task is to monitor the political, economic and social environment and transmit information to the Minister of Interior. The District has the delegated task of supervision and protection of the local authorities of the district. The District presides all procedures relating to conscription and directs, where necessary, the intervention of the armed forces for the service of public security, upon order or authorization of the Minister of Interior. Finally, it supports the Government in the surveillance of public institutions and charities and carries out the functions that may be delegated by the prefect, except those which require the intervention of the Administrative Commission.
The District also takes care of the preparatory phase of acts that would then be submitted to the decision of the Minister of Interior or of the Administrative Commission.
From an organizational point of view, the Districts are poorly articulated and are composed of the Government Commissioner (Vladin Komesar) and some secretarial employees belonging to the roles of the Ministry of the Interior.
The Government Commissioner is chosen from among the Interior officials and is appointed by Government decree on the proposal of the Minister of Interior. In addition to the normal fees, the Government Commissioner is entitled to free accommodation and a modest representation allowance. In addition, he cannot be prosecuted for acts performed in the exercise of his functions except by authorization of the Duce-Prince of Montenegro. The Subprefect is also, in the district, a political and public security authorities, supervising the relevant Police bodies.
Montenegrin Districts are:
- Andrieevizza;
- Antivari;
- Berane;
- Budua;
- Campo Bianco;
- Castelnuovo di Cattaro;
- Cattaro;
- Cettigne;
- Colascino;
- Danilovgrad;
- Dulcigno;
- Gusino;
- Moicovazzo;
- Nikšić;
- Petnizza;
- Pieve Vecchia;
- Plav;
- Pluzine;
- Podgorizza;
- Rozaie;
- Savinicco;
- Teodo;
- Tuzzi di Montenegro;
- Zabiliacca.
Economy
The economy of Montenegro is mostly service-based in a State/Corporatist economy.
Infrastructure
The Montenegrin road infrastructure is not at Western European standards. Despite an extensive road network, no roads are built to full motorway standards.
Current Imperial route that passes through Montenegro is the Imperial Balkan Route.
The backbone of the Montenegrin rail network is the Belgrade–Antivari railway, which provides international connection towards Serbia. There is a domestic branch line, the Nikšić-Podgorica railway. Also the other branch line from Podgorica towards the Albanian border, the Podgorizza–Scutari railway, is in use.
Montenegro has two international airports, Podgorizza Airport and Teodo Airport. The port of Antivari is Montenegro's main seaport.
Languages
The official languages in Montenegro are Montenegrin and Italian. Also, Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and Croatian are recognized in usage. Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian are mutually intelligible, all being varieties of Serbo-Croatian language.
Religion
Montenegro has been historically at the crossroads of multiculturalism and over centuries this has shaped its unique form of co-existence between Muslim and Christian populations. Montenegrins have been, historically, members of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and Serbian Orthodox Christianity is the most popular religion today in Montenegro.
Despite tensions between religious groups during the Bosnian Wars, Montenegro remained fairly stable, mainly due its population having a historic perspective on religious tolerance and faith diversity. Religious institutions from Montenegro all have guaranteed rights and are separate from the state. The second largest religion is Islam, which amounts to 19% of the total population of the country. Half of Albanians are Catholics while the other half is mainly Sunni Muslims. There is also a Roman Catholic population, mostly Italians and Albanians with some Croats.
Education
Education in Montenegro is regulated by the Ministry of National Education.
The elementary school lasts five years (6 to 10). Until middle school, the educational curriculum is the same for all pupils: although one can attend a private or state-funded school, the subjects studied are the same (with the exception of special schools for the blind or the hearing-impaired). The students are given a basic education in Montenegrin, Italian, mathematics, natural sciences, history, geography, social studies, physical education and visual and musical arts.
Pupils have to pass an exam to access Middle School, comprising the composition of a short essay in Montenegrin, a written maths test, and an oral test on the other subjects.
Secondary education is divided in two stages: Middle School and high-school level. The Middle School lasts three years (roughly from age 11 to 13), and provides further education on the subjects studied at the Elementary School, with the addition of Technology and an European language other than Italian. At the end of the third year students sit an exam which enables them to continue their education.
The high school lasts five years (even though some Work Training Institutes might offer a diploma after only three years). All tiers involve an exam at the end of the final year, required to gain a diploma and have access to further education. The secondary school situation varies, since there are several types of schools differentiated by subjects and activities. The main division is between the High School, the Technical School the Work Training Institute. Any kind of secondary school that lasts 5 years grants access to the final exam, called Secondary Diploma Exam. This exam takes place every year around the middle of the year and grants access to University.
Higher education lasts with a certain first degree after 3 to 6 years. There is one public university (University of Podgorizza) and two private ones (Università Mediterranea and Università di Cattaro.
Public holidays
| Date | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | (non-working holiday) |
| 7 January | Orthodox Christmas | (non-working holiday) |
| 10 April a | Catholic Good Friday | (non-working holiday) |
| 12 April a | Catholic Easter | (non-working holiday) |
| 17 April a b | Orthodox Good Friday | (non-working holiday) |
| 19 April a b | Orthodox Easter | (non-working holiday) |
| 21 April | Foundation of Rome and Day of Labour | (non-working holiday) |
| 9 May | Day of the Empire | Celebration of the proclamation of the Italian Empire |
| 3 June | Principality Day | (non-working holiday) |
| 28 October | Accession to the Empire | (non-working holiday) |
a2020 dates – exact dates vary each year according to the Julian-Orthodox calendar and to Gregorian-Catholic calendar.
bDates given according to the Gregorian-Catholic calendar.