Montenegro Fate Depends on its National Minorities Will

The election results to the Parliament of Montenegro were not exactly what Milo Djukanovic, the Prime Minister of the country, expected. By getting just 36 seats in parliament, his party has to find at least another 5 seats in order to form a constitutional majority.

In these circumstances, even if the Democratic Party of Socialists fails to bring its former ally (Social Democratic Party) on their side, Djukanovic will try to form an alliance with the Party of national minorities. Among them we can mention Bosniak Party, which received three mandates, as well as the party of Croats and Albanians who have one seat in the parliament each.

If we analyze the relations between Milo Djukanovic and Montenegro ethnic minorities, it is worth noting one important feature. Since the presidential election in 1997, Djukanovic has been constantly using Bosniaks, Albanians and Croats for his political purposes and promising to them equality and civil rights respect in return.

During the 2001 elections following the policy of the West to support the Albanians of Kosovo and Metohija the Montenegrin authorities have taken a friendly attitude towards the Albanian political parties and simplified the process of their registration as electoral participants. Djukanovic also promised to fulfill demands of Albanians to amend the structure and formation of the Parliament according to its ethnic composition. As history showed, no promises were kept.

The same thing happened again during the Montenegrin independence referendum in 2006. Mainly because of anti-Serb minorities Montenegro separated from Serbia, however, Bosniaks, Albanians and Croats did not receive any of the promised privileges.

Later, Djukanovic had to fulfill his promises to Albanians by recognizing the independence of Kosovo. However, this step was taken under US pressure in favor of the West, and definitely not of the ethnic minority of Montenegro.

Bosnians by supporting Djukanovic and his pro-Western course expected some territorial concessions. After Montenegro independence Bosnia demanded to return Sutorina village and the access to the sea, assigned to Montenegro in 1947. However, in 2015 the USA forced Bosnia to give up its claim to make their alliance with Montenegro guaranteed.

It turns out that Milo Djukanovic in his more than 25-year reign has been constantly using ethnic minorities during the elections in Montenegro and has not kept any of his promises.

However, now it is time for Bosniaks, Albanians and Croats to determine the country’s future. After joining the opposition or by remaining neutral, they may get Djukanovic even. Otherwise, history will repeat itself, and national minorities in Montenegro will be left with nothing.