Deeply Divided Montenegro Marks 15 Years of Independence

BIRN asked four prominent figures and experts to assess Montenegro's achievements in the 15 years since regaining its independence, and why the country remains so divided:

Predrag Bulatovic, MP of the pro-Serbian Democratic Front and former leader of the now-defunct Unionist bloc that opposed independence:

Democratic Front MP Predrag Bulatovic on the parliament session.Photo: Parliament of Montenegro

• Montenegro's position 15 years on -

"For a full 15 years, the former government fought to protect Montenegro and its independence from imaginary external and internal enemies. Thanks to this permanent struggle, Montenegro became the private property of the Democratic Party of Socialists leader Milo Djukanovic, his family, business partners and individuals from the criminal underworld. Montenegro is a captive state and a country of endemic corruption. This has brought the country to the abyss and to the overall disastrous consequences that we have to face.

In economic terms, the former government did not valorise the benefits of independence and having a small social and economic system. Since 2006, the biggest robbery and destruction of state resources has taken place, from which the current president of Montenegro and his associates have benefitted enormously. Today, Montenegro is economically devastated. The new Montenegro should bring together and unite all relevant factors and uncorrupted individuals who are required to show full understanding, dialogue and agreement.

• Polarisation and the rise of nationalism -

In the past 15 years, the former government perceived half of the population as enemies of Montenegro. Based on that, discrimination was carried out...