A falling-out between former political allies in Montenegro has complicated the country’s efforts to join the European Union and curb pro-Russian influence.

Elected last year on promises to accelerate a shift out of Russia’s orbit of influence and into the European Union, the government of Montenegro recently nominated a curious candidate as its ambassador in Moscow — a Russian citizen.

. . .

[W]hen voters elected Mr. Milatovic and then gave the most votes in a legislative election to his allies in Europe Now, a party headed by Mr. Spajic, the two men were firmly united behind the goals of joining Europe and rooting out the corruption and crime that had long bedeviled the country.

Today, Mr. Milatovic has split from Europe Now. He accuses a coalition government — led by Mr. Spajic but dependent on support from Kremlin-friendly legislators — of sinking back into the patronage politics it promised to eradicate and bowing to the interests of Russia and Serbia at the expense of Montenegro’s links with Europe.

The rift highlights the difficulty of building a stable, Western-style democracy in a fragile Balkan country rent by rival ethnic, religious and geopolitical loyalties.

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