Although more than three decades have passed since the introduction of the multi-party system, citizens still feel that social justice, equality, and security, as basic democratic principles, have not yet become part of their everyday life. The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to make a cross-section of the real state of democracy in Montenegro.
In public discourse, democracy is often identified exclusively with voting, although its full meaning lies in respect for rights, transparency, dialogue, responsibility, and inclusion. In Montenegro, however, the election process itself often deviates from democratic standards, and the authorities make decisions in a way that leaves citizens on the sidelines and without real responsibility.
After the elections, we often witness agreements on the distribution of political power and resources that are treated as loot, while the key sectors – health, education, and the security apparatus remain hostages of party calculations, and the citizens are the ultimate victims.
Unfortunately, there are too many examples, which we from the civil sector continuously warn about. Amendments to the law without public debate, the “Alabar” case, and the amendments to the Law on Agency of National Security clearly show how many decisions are made behind closed doors and how much confidence in institutions is undermined. At the same time, media freedom is under constant pressure, journalists are exposed to threats and attacks, while misogynistic outbursts and attacks on women are increasingly being registered in the public space. Also, the recent interruption of the screening of the film in the Albanian language in Podgorica further confirmed how much we still lack tolerance and respect for diversity.
In such an environment, instead of a vision of development, society is often pushed into the arms of national populism, which deepens divisions and polarization.
Nevertheless, Montenegro is not an isolated case. One gets the impression that the crisis of democracy is a global phenomenon, from the collapse of confidence in institutions in the United States of America, through the war in Ukraine, which shook the international order, to the growing populism and economic inequalities across Europe.
All of these are reminders that democracy is not an acquired right that is taken for granted, but an ongoing process that requires responsibility and daily nurturing.
The International Day of Democracy reminds us that it is necessary to take a critical look at the current situation in Montenegro, and that the consistent application of democratic principles builds a society based on justice, equality, freedom, and security for all citizens.
