What kind of government has Montenegro received: The control stick in the hands of the Russian-Serbian agency

By: Nevena Kovačević

The Chetnik duke, Andrija Mandić, also the leader of the New Serbian Democracy, was formally elected president of the Montenegrin parliament yesterday, with the votes of 49 MPs. The opposition MPs left the session before the voting began, placing black ribbons on the microphones and stating that yesterday was a black day for Montenegrin parliamentarism.

One thing is certain – Montenegrin parliamentarism has been officially rendered meaningless. The election of a Chetnik duke as head of the highest legislative body is viewed differently in reports by regional media.

On one hand, Bosnian and Croatian media are surprised by the election of a pro-Russian player as president of the parliament of a country recognized for its aspirations to establish a civil society, based on Western and European values.

On the contrary, pro-Serbian media are already celebrating a great victory for Aleksandar Vučić and the idea of the Serbian world. Montenegrin citizens expressed their protest last night in front of the parliament building regarding Mandić's appointment, and they were joined by MPs from the opposition, specifically parties of the pro-Montenegrin bloc.

Andrija Mandić on a peace mission

Someone unfamiliar with the character and work of war veteran and member of the Seventh Battalion, Andrija Mandić, would think, upon hearing his speech after taking office, that it was a newly enlightened and transformed Andrija, who, after decades of pursuing a policy of radical nationalism, had suddenly become the savior of Montenegro and its multi-ethnic harmony.

However, there is no expert in political communication who could make this clownish performance for the public watchable and natural.
Mandić has, in fact, suddenly transformed into the role of a civilized and decent politician from the presidential campaign, spreading peaceful messages, without harsh rhetoric, with repentance for previously expressed radical views.

Nevertheless, the essence of this poor and clumsy acting is revealed in just one sentence – the same goals can be achieved through different paths.
Mandić sent that message to his voters during his discussion with the leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Danijel Živković, avoiding answering Živković's questions – whether he will support the continuation of sanctions against aggressive Russia, whether, in accordance with the principles enshrined in the party statute, he will demand Montenegro's withdrawal from NATO, and whether he will recognize Kosovo's independence, to which he committed by signing the coalition agreement of the constituents of the new parliamentary majority.

Mandić's thesis is clear – the goals do not change, and the means are not chosen for their achievement. It was, to say the least, unpleasant to watch Andrija Mandić swear to respect the Constitution, that document which he himself called meaningless and violent, and which he and his colleagues from the opposition benches tore up and trampled on in the parliamentary hall a few years ago.

It is sad to watch a member of the Chetnik and Ravna Gora movement, a promoter of holy Serbia and Aleksandar Raković's revisionist fabrications, who bows to Aleksandar Vučić and Milorad Dodik, working towards the realization of the concept of a single-nation state of all Serbs, and considers Vladimir Putin his president, call for reconciliation and preach peace.

Today, we are being called to reconciliation by those who despise the civic concept of the state, equate the Chetnik and partisan movements, destroy multi-ethnic harmony and the achievements of anti-fascism, celebrate war criminals, and deny the genocide in Srebrenica. In vain do MPs from the Europe Now movement, Democrats, and parts of Albanian parties, for the umpteenth time, repackage the story of a changed narrative of the alliance, which, whether called the Democratic Front or For the Future of Montenegro, inherits the same ideology based on chauvinism, disrespect for state symbols, and the creation of a state based on the model of constituent nations, with the possibility of changing the Constitution and completely abolishing the civic concept and formally declaring Montenegrins a minority people.

To achieve such a vision, they can clearly count on the support of centrists, who are principled and responsible politicians in words, but hypocrites and opportunists in practice.

Election of the Government, violation of rules of procedure and the Constitution

After the parliamentary leadership was elected, a new session followed shortly before midnight, with the election of the 44th Government, led by Milojko Spajić, on the agenda.

By scheduling the session, the Law on the Capital City was first violated, which stipulates that the first session of the regular parliamentary sitting is held in Cetinje. Then, the parliamentary rules of procedure were violated, as only one day before the session, the candidate for Minister of Internal Affairs, Boris Bogdanović, withdrew his candidacy, after which Alekse Bečić's Democrats proposed Danilo Šaranović for that position.

The Rules of Procedure of the Assembly stipulate that the mandatary is obliged to submit the program and the proposed composition of the Government to the Assembly three days before the session, and since Spajić did not inform the Assembly about the change in the proposed composition of the Government, the rules of procedure were violated. As they say – when there's a ball, let it be a masquerade ball.
Translated into political language – if we can break laws, why can't we break the Constitution too. Thus, Spajić refused to read his exposé at the beginning of the session, explaining such a decision by saving time and the necessity of deciding to postpone the census.

By violating a constitutional obligation, the newly elected prime minister humiliated the highest legislative body, as well as the citizens who elected him to the prime ministerial position.

Such an anti-state move is the best indicator that exposes the character of the future government. During the session, the former and current prime ministers exchanged a lot of serious accusations about involvement in corrupt activities, and there is plenty of material for the Special State Prosecutor's Office.

Spajić was having fun, refusing to answer the criticisms and questions of the MPs regarding the explanation of certain points in the exposé. Thus, Spajić did not want to clarify how he plans to implement the controversial Europe Now two program, whether the funds for salary and pension increases will require new borrowing, and how he plans to achieve key foreign policy goals (EU membership, strengthening Euro-Atlantic partnership, good neighborly relations, and strengthening the role in multilateral organizations), if the actions and strategic direction of his cabinet depend on the support of the For the Future of Montenegro coalition. An innovator and visionary in the making, he sent a message that his exposé will remain a mere pamphlet and a well-written populist fairy tale.

Spajić, who lacks a clear ideological profile, will undoubtedly be easy prey for the governing For the Future of Montenegro coalition, which will firmly hold the control stick, while President Jakov Milatović, with his players in the new majority, will be able to dose the pressure directed towards his party colleague.
The mere fact that all 49 MPs of the new majority supported Mandić, and Spajić's Government 46, indicates initial friction and the absence of the imaginary cohesion they are trying to feign.

Although it is obvious that the government formed on the principle of partyocracy and shaky partnership, with 90% of cadres without references and competencies for managing the entrusted portfolios, will not be functional and may last even shorter than the previous two, and be dissolved even before the announced reconstruction, Montenegro's future is uncertain, and the deepening of the political crisis can have far-reaching consequences.

Appointees recommended by anti-NATO propaganda, Putinophilia, and experience in the political scene will cause immeasurable damage to the country. However, if we know that the majority was formed according to the measure of MOSCOW, OFFICIAL Belgrade, and dignitaries of the Serbian Orthodox Church, we could not have gotten better cadres.

The first session of the Government should be held today at 1 p.m., and the agenda includes a proposal to postpone the census until November 30.