The parliament of Montenegro has voted out two pro-Western ministers from Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic's caretaker government.
The 41 pro-Serbian deputies of the 81-seat parliament voted late on October 21 to dismiss Foreign Minister Ranko Krivokapic and Defense Minister Rasko Konjevic.
Abazovic accused the two members of the pro-Western Social Democratic party of working against the interests of the government.
The pro-Serbian and pro-Russian camps in Montenegro are trying to oust pro-Western President Milo Djukanovic from office and bring him to court for alleged corruption.
Djukanovic led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006 and into NATO in 2017.
Abazovic's government is only in office on a caretaker basis after parliament withdrew its confidence in August.
Abazovic, the head of the small eco-liberal party URA, had originally adopted a pro-Western stance but started pursuing a more pro-Serbian policy once he acceded to power through a change of coalition in April.
In August, Abazovic signed an an agreement with the Belgrade-led Serbian Orthodox Church, which does not recognize Montenegro's identity as a separate state, arguing that the deal would help heal deep internal divisions.
The move was heavily criticized by Montenegro's pro-European political forces.
New elections have not yet been called because there was no majority in parliament for the move.
Local elections will be held in 14 municipalities on October 23, including in the capital Podgorica.
A possible consensus for new elections, probably in January, is expected to emerge after the polls.
A report by the European Commission earlier this month said Montenegro's lawmakers have failed to demonstrate a commitment to enacting the reforms needed to bring it closer to the European Union, despite the country's candidate status.