Thousands protest against economic woes in Montenegro

More than 5,000 people took to the streets of Montenegro's capital Podgorica on Saturday to protest against the worsening economic and social situation in the EU candidate country. The organisers of the demonstration, who include unions, campaigning groups and student organisations, denounced rising energy prices and government corruption. They claim that citizens are being made to pay debt accumulated by corruption and the mismanaged privatisations of state-owned companies. "Our message to the government is this: we want them to decide if they are a government for tycoons or a government for the citizens," union leader Srdja Kekovic said as the crowd chanted "Thieves, Thieves". The European Union has insisted that Montenegro tackle corruption and organised crime before it can open accession talks to join the bloc. The tiny Adriatic state's economy is in bad shape. Between 2010 and 2011 foreign investment, which drove an economic boom between 2006 and 2008, has dropped by a third.