Mandić's open attack on the Constitution and identity of Montenegro - the handwriting of his mentor Vučić

Just when Montenegro is making significant strides towards the EU, there are announcements of changes to the Constitution of Montenegro. The President of the Parliament of Montenegro and leader of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) Andrija Mandić has once again confirmed the political agenda he has been advocating for years — changes to the Montenegrin Constitution and declaring Serbian as the official language. His statements have sparked sharp reactions. Interviewees for ETV Portal say that this is a planned attempt to destabilize the country and its European path.

MANDIĆ: THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT REFLECT THE REAL SITUATION IN MONTENEGRO

The President of the Parliament of Montenegro and leader of the NSD Andrija Mandić stated last night at a ceremony marking the 120th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Principality of Montenegro:

"The current Constitution, adopted by a parliamentary majority, does not reflect the true situation in our country. There are many elements of the current Constitution that are ripe to be aligned with the present reality in Montenegro, among which is the status of the Serbian language."

VUJOVIĆ: MANDIĆ'S MISSION IS TO DEPERSONALIZE MONTENEGRO

The President of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and one of the leaders of the European Alliance Ivan Vujović told ETV Portal that Andrija Mandić came into power with clearly defined goals.

"Andrija Mandić came into power to work on changing the Montenegrin Constitution and the Citizenship Law, promoting the Podgorica Assembly and the Chetnik movement, all with the ultimate goal of completely depersonalizing and demeaning Montenegro as a sovereign state and merging it into the so-called 'Serb World.'"

Vujović emphasized that this is Mandić's only political mission.

"This is his only mission, and these are his only goals, from which he has never backed down, but he has only, as he admitted himself, changed tactics and methods."

He added that the new narrative about the alleged threat to the Serbian language is not surprising.

 „Therefore, it is not surprising to hear another tirade about the alleged endangerment of the Serbian language, which in Montenegro has the same status as it does in Serbia. Mandić is a politician of the past, a political relic and a symbol of the worst kind of politics that existed, and unfortunately still exists, in Montenegro over the past 35 years."

EU PATH AS A TARGET OF POLITICAL OBSTRUCTION

Vujović warned that this follows a well-known pattern of action.

"His mission is clear — whenever there is a hint of Montenegro’s success on the EU path, he attempts to plant an identity mine and loudly shout in the familiar manner about the alleged threat to Serbdom."

VUČIĆ'S POLITICAL HANDWRITING IN MONTENEGRO

Vujović believes that Mandić is acting under the orders of his mentor.

"Of course, this is all the handwriting of his mentor, whose orders he must execute, even though he sometimes thinks he could distance himself. This continues until a messenger from the Serbian Intelligence Agency (BIA) arrives to warn him and remind him which team he is playing for and what he must do."

MESSAGE FROM BELGRADE: STOP TO EUROPEAN MONTENEGRO

Commenting on the statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the simultaneous EU accession of the entire region, Vujović said:

"Vučić's statement about the simultaneous entry of the entire region into the EU was actually an order to his followers to do everything possible to sabotage our EU path and to ensure that Montenegro waits for Vučić's Serbia to rush towards Brussels — which will never happen."

CONSTITUTION AS A HOSTAGE OF POLITICAL TIMING

Vujović added that the issue of changing the Constitution is being timed for a sensitive political moment.

"That’s why the topic of constitutional change is being brought up, with the timing carefully planned in anticipation of closing five chapters in the negotiations and the potential start of drafting the accession agreement."

ANNOUNCING DESTABILIZATION AHEAD OF A KEY EUROPEAN YEAR

Vujović warns that further attempts at destabilization are yet to come.

"We are facing various provocations. In 2026, time will be running out for Vučić, and relations will have to radicalize. All identity issues will be put on the table in order to destabilize Montenegro in the decisive European year."

He concludes that the roles are clearly divided:

"Mandić and Knežević are the people, each with their role — sometimes it’s the good cop/bad cop game, but the intentions and goals are clear. As always, this policy will be defeated, and this time, we hope, definitively."

GEGAJ: THE INTENTION IS TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION

Former MP from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Nikola Gegaj told ETV Portal that Mandić's intentions are completely clear.

"Mandić's intention is to alter the Constitution. This has been his intention from the start, and he does not hide it."

INSTITUTIONAL BLOCKADE AS A POLITICAL STRATEGY

Gegaj pointed out that institutional blockades are being used as a tool.

"It is evident that they are constantly blocking the Constitutional Court to more easily implement their plans."

DANGEROUS AVALANCHE

He believes that the Constitution has already been seriously violated.

"In my opinion, the Constitution was violated when the Fundamental Agreement was signed. That was a breach of the Constitution."

Gegaj warns of possible consequences.

"When a snowball starts rolling, it leads to an avalanche, and I wouldn't rule out questioning NATO membership, recognition of Kosovo, etc., etc..."

He concluded with:

"Unfortunately, creating political tensions is the goal of the current government in Montenegro," Gegaj concluded.