Writes: Miodrag Radović
In recent days, I have often wondered what happened to civil Montenegro, which until recently was an example in the region. The last shocking example of the desecration of the monument to Ljubo Cupic in Niksic is sufficiently illustrative of the current state of Montenegrin society. I would certainly not be surprised if the person in question gets an expert contract in the Government or at least to be a special envoy in our diplomatic network, because he obviously “built” his CV by looking at others like this. I don't know what worries me more in that sad picture, whether the vandal who desecrates the monument, the person who “proudly” records this heinous act, the peaceful passers who do not register it, the new municipal leadership whose only problem is that it happens in a public place in downtown, suspecting that somehow the former government ordered it, or the lack of a real civil reaction to this disobedience.
Honestly, what worried me the most was the latter. For a long time now, there has been no real civic reaction from the academic community, civil society, the media and all those to whom it nominally belongs to protect such values. It is clear that all politicians have spoken out, but it is not only up to them to judge on the merits or superficially about social events. What happened to all active spheres of society to be extinguished with the new Government and what does that tell us. It is clear that the non-governmental sector does not have to be anti-government or pro-government, but the essence is to be independent and critically focused on all negative developments in society. I am afraid that our bourgeois tribe is “sleeping a dead sleep”, only that I am much more frightened when I think that there is a real and probable danger that they will oversleep the downfall of civilization as it follows.
Not everything I’m talking about is contained in the last example. Amendments to the Labor Law are an unprecedented precedent, without consultation with the social partners, as a direct blow to the economic viability of the budget, not only this year (if we ever see it), but in the long run. The background is clear, do everything to replace the unsuitable. Only sporadic reactions gave a glimmer of hope that there would be more “fire” in the civil sector and the civil being of Montenegro, but I must state that none of them was as vigorous and thoroughly argued as it obviously should be.
Thus, the Law on the State Prosecutor's Office and the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees “passed”. The Law on General Education and Upbringing, as well as many other acts and procedures worth at least analysis, if not public condemnation. Out of pure revanchism, a large number of people were left without jobs. It will not be that none of these people are professional and are not capable of performing the function with dignity, regardless of political affiliation. Is that the key to professionalization that they call for, for everyone to be replaced and brought suitable, so that they can be called professionals? Why not, when people with poor work experience are called experts and become ministers. I wonder if anyone sees an enormous rise in unemployment, a lack of a strategic approach to revenue collection, an unhealthy attitude towards reputable investors with unforeseeable consequences due to their plans to leave the country, a stalemate on all key infrastructure projects.
In a country where the biggest officials congratulate the athletes of the neighboring country on their success (really every part so that someone doesn't think I'm not happy), and they forget that the Montenegrin athlete achieved significant success in the same sport the day before, it should come as no surprise. There is still a denier of genocide in the Government, and the Prime Minister must not raise the issue of his removal. How many appointment points in the Assembly have passed since then, without this being resolved. Is it the fear of some parapolitical structures or simply the fear of losing power, so the conflict with the Secretary General is resolved according to the same key, by pushing under the carpet. Has anyone raised the question of why the Deputy Secretary General still performs his function if it has been unequivocally established that under the influence of alcohol, in violation of several traffic rules, he caused an accident with an official car? Is the Prime Minister wondering anything in this Government, or is he being blackmailed from all sides as a man without credibility, so all that is left for him is to entertain the wider masses with his public appearances?
Montenegro definitely needs the awakening of true civic forces, whose goal without calculation is the adoption of European values, building the rule of law and democratic society, social justice, sustainable economic development, protection of the environment in which we live, attracting investment and strategic approach to using available resources. As an eternal optimist, I am convinced that there is enough strength and wisdom in Montenegro to prevent further devastation of fundamental civic values and that it will succeed in that endeavor.
(The author is the head of the cabinet of the President of Montenegro)