In the report of the organization Freedom House on Countries in Transition 2023, when it comes to the state of democracy, Serbia remained at the same level, small improvements were noted in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, and regression was recorded in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Freedom House’s report on Countries in Transition 2023 states that political polarization in Montenegro, mostly relating to the issue of national identity, led to the fall of two governments. In addition, the parliament adopted laws that undermine basic human rights, while the Constitutional Court does not have a quorum to review disputed acts, the report states.
However, the recent defeat of Milo Djukanovic, who led the country for more than three decades, in the presidential elections in April 2023 raises hopes that there will be a change of generations, according to Freedom House.
Aleksandra Karpi, an expert at Freedom House, states that the change of generations is, for now, a potential.
“I say potential, because as you know, the presidential office in Montenegro does not have many responsibilities. I think it will become clearer when the parliamentary elections scheduled for June take place, and when we see how the Europe Now party will be positioned, as well as other political options. I think there is a real potential for Montenegro to return to the right path, not only in the reform process, but also towards the EU, which will of course be key, to strengthen the reforms and move the country forward from a very difficult year”, states Karpi.
Whether the change of generation will be enough to solve the issues of political polarization and national identity, she does not want to speculate much.
