“Politicians artificially position topics that are not of priority for the citizens of Montenegro, thus provoking divisions, which is why the belief dominates that the state is moving in the wrong direction, that the incomes of citizens are not better, and that political changes bring a wave of revanchism. This is especially dangerous for the size and structure of society like the Montenegrin one. This was stated, among other things, at today’s presentation of survey findings within the joint initiative of the Center for Civic Education (CGO) and the DAMAR – CG Pulse agency.
CGO CEO Daliborka Uljarevic says that the data show that “today, there are slightly less than 1/3 of those who think that Montenegro is going in a very good or good direction, while last year it was slightly more 1/3. In total, the number of those who believe that the current trends are wrong has increased, so that today it is 45.9% compared to 35.5% registered last year”.
She has explained that the younger population is very dissatisfied, as well as those who declare themselves as Albanians, Montenegrins, Bosniaks, Muslims and Croats (60%-75%). On the other hand, nationally determined Serbs and those with a lower level of education are more optimistic that our society’s direction is good.
“Citizens cite the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and the Fundamental Agreement between the Government and the SPC (28.2%), identity issues (which include the census – 17.4%), and the fight against corruption and organized crime (16.8%) as the most recognizable topics highlighted by politicians. On the other hand, they see the following as the central issues – unemployment (27.1%), the fight against corruption (17.7%) and improving living standard (17%), while most are much less interested in the SPC and the Fundamental Agreement between the Government and the SPC, as well as identity issues”, explains Uljarevic.
