Written by Andrej Nikolaidis, CdM columnist
Do you know how AI answers the question “What’s terrorism?”
It says: “Terrorism is defined as a deliberate use of violence or the threat of violence to intimidate and coerce governments or societies into meeting certain demands, typically of a political, religious, or ideological nature. Violence is used as a means to achieve goals that cannot be attained through conventional methods.”
Tell me honestly – does the attack on Mayor Jovanovic fit this definition? At least a little?
The investigation will show how it went, we all fully trust the police, as well as other institutions—none of which are under any political influence from ruling parties like, for example, the Democrats, who have taken over the Ministry of the Interior. But of course, all our institutions are strictly professional, aren’t they? As a friend of mine said when I asked him how he was doing: “I feel great. The results of autopsy will determine the rest.”
Everything is just wonderful in our country: a socio-political fairy tale. Religious communities hold joint forums on tolerance; ethnic minority parties adore the radical Serbian right, which returns the love just as passionately; snow falls on blossoms and fruit, let everyone love whomever they wish; EU integration is progressing, life has never been better; the DPS is to blame for everything—they killed Kennedy, Milo conspired with the Americans to wipe out the dinosaurs, and whenever the government screws up, they say loudly: “But it didn’t bother you when the DPS was doing it!” No one complains anymore, not even about a terrible summer season, not even about the ongoing sale of the family silver – our airports. And things aren’t even expensive anymore – after all, who and with what money can pay for such pleasure and beauty?
When Jovanovic was beaten up, everyone condemned it. But when it turned out the attackers were from Mandic’s political circle, was anyone truly surprised? In the cases of Mandic’s nephew, Becir, and now Jovanovic, “those who will take us to the EU” have shown themselves raw and brutal. And their message is clear: we are the power here. We can do whatever we want. And we will do everything we can. Even Mandić’s people condemned what every honest Chetnik quietly celebrated. It’s only that they did it in a way that, as always, made them look like victims. What can we say? Some are born winners, some are born geniuses, and some are born cattle. And some – victims.
The Democrats condemned the attack on Jovanovic by condemning Jovanovic for being in a coalition with “the biggest thuggish party.” They want to say he got what he deserved.
I don’t want to spoil the idyllic picture of liberated, reconciled, soon-to-be-European Montenegro, but one question is being left hanging in the air. If there are – and clearly there are – people and political structures in this country who feel bold and protected enough to fire at citizens from parliamentary vehicle,, to award prizes to books that not even Hercule Poirot could confirm exist, who find it as natural as eating a burek in broad daylight to beat up the mayor of the second-richest municipality – what can so-called ordinary citizens expect?
The story about Europe-oriented Mandic and a “European coalition” with him has been hollow, false, and stupid from the start. And everyone knows it.
The same goes for the story of the “criminal DPS” with whom no coalition is acceptable under any circumstances, and the “reformed,” “acceptable” Front with whom it turns out a coalition is both possible and necessary.
Which leads us to the question: who in PES – and why – is insisting on a coalition arrangement that is undermining that party while propping up Mandic? A coalition that cannot possibly result in any EU fairytale, but rather is steering Montenegro toward the full normalization of violence—including violence against common sense—and its institutional protection.
At this point, it’s worth repeating the insight of Slovenian historian Bozo Repe: fascism most often comes to power through coalitions—typically, coalitions with liberal parties.
Jovanovic did in Budva what Milatovic had announced in Podgorica but didn’t dare to do: he formed a government without the Front. Yesterday’s beating of Jovanovic was the punishment for that, carried out publicly so the message would be clear to everyone. A million-dollar question is: does anyone truly believe that forming any future ruling coalition at the national level could happen without street pressure, without threats to “respect the will of August 30,” accompanied by credible threats and convincing acts of violence? As time goes by, the basis of Mandic’s power is becoming fear, not electoral legitimacy. Let’s remember: Mandic has never won a national election. They needed the betrayal of Dritan Abazovic and URA to win on 30 August. By beating up Jovanovic, the Front is sending the message that they won’t allow anyone to do what Dritan did to the DPS.
(The opinions and views of our columnists are not necessarily the opinions or views of the CdM news team)
