Albanian Alliance unanimously backs Mandić’s dismissal: A civilisational choice and a message for Montenegro’s future

The Albanian Alliance, comprising the New Democratic Force FORCA, the Democratic Party and the Democratic Union in Montenegro, has unanimously decided to support the dismissal of Andrija Mandić from the position of Speaker of Parliament.

As they emphasise, this is not a question of their attitude towards a particular political party, nor an endorsement of the initiative’s sponsor, but rather a matter of civilisation and values.

- Ratko Mladić was finally convicted of genocide and war crimes. Glorifying convicted war criminals, relativising their crimes or attempting to portray them as heroes is incompatible with the values of a modern, civic and European Montenegro. The Speaker of Parliament bears a particular responsibility to represent all citizens and, through his actions, to safeguard the dignity of the institution he heads - the statement said.

Therefore, they added, they understand a vote for Mandić’s dismissal as a vote for European values, a culture of responsibility and remembrance, and Montenegro’s European future.

- Joining the European Union is not only about closing negotiating chapters. Europe is also about the values we are prepared to defend when it is most difficult - they said.

They added that the fact that representatives of minority parties have taken the same position on this issue carries particular political weight.

- This should not be viewed as minorities aligning themselves with a single political bloc, but as a message that should be taken seriously. Throughout all the key periods of Montenegro’s modern history, minority peoples have been a reliable pillar of its civic character, independence, NATO membership and European path. Today, too, when a clear line must be drawn against the glorification of war crimes, their position is unequivocal - the statement said.

They added that, for precisely this reason, they expect the voices of minorities to be heard with equal seriousness when it comes to their rights and legitimate political demands.

- There is both room and a need for a much more serious dialogue on guaranteed political representation for minorities and a model of guaranteed seats, genuine decentralisation of the state, fiscal decentralisation and the strengthening of local self-government, as well as on the management of the maritime domain and restoring coastal municipalities’ right to decide on the land and resources on which their development directly depends - the Albanian Alliance said.

For Albanians, they emphasised, these are matters of equality and trust in institutions.

- European Montenegro cannot simultaneously insist on European standards when they are politically convenient and postpone them when they require decentralisation, equal representation and the genuine participation of minorities in decision-making - the statement said.

The Albanian Alliance said that today’s unity among minority parties should also be seen as an opportunity.

- It shows that minorities remain a strong pillar of a civic and European Montenegro, but also that there is a need to build their relationship with the political majority on greater mutual respect, trust and sincere dialogue - they said.

They stressed that the Albanian Alliance wants to be part of such a dialogue.

- Our vote for the dismissal of Andrija Mandić is a vote for drawing a clear civilisational line against the glorification of war criminals. At the same time, we extend our hand for dialogue on how we can jointly build a more decentralised, fairer and more European Montenegro, in which minority peoples will be not merely supporters of its European path, but equal participants in decisions about its future - the statement concluded.