Dizdarević: The Democrats have undermined the security sector, citizens do not feel safe, there can be no new, stable, and European government without DPS

The current government has lost both its political compass and the trust of citizens, and the price of this political chaos is today being paid by Montenegro through the security sector, where conflicts, irresponsibility, and a struggle for control over institutions are creating a sense of general insecurity - said Vice President of the Democratic Party of Socialists and Member of Parliament Abaz Dizdarević in an interview for Portal ETV.

He emphasized that it is no coincidence that the Democrats, who control key levers of the security sector, are recording results below 10 percent, because citizens, as he stated, „clearly see that internal conflicts within the ruling majority and constant frictions over the police and security structures have led to the collapse of the system“. According to Dizdarević, while the current majority sinks into conflicts and loses legitimacy, the Democratic Party of Socialists remains the strongest individual political actor and the only serious state-building and pro-European alternative.

- The results of surveys recently presented confirm that the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) remains individually the strongest political subject in Montenegro, with support exceeding 25 percent - said Dizdarević.

As he noted, although DPS lost power in 2020, „it can be concluded that ideological homogeneity positions our party as the only barrier to what is clearly visible as a threat to the civic and pro-European character of the state“.

- Despite political persecution, brutal revanchism carried out for six years, and the departure of certain individuals from our party, the research shows that the most loyal people have remained with DP, those who believe in the idea of unity, multiculturalism, and a civically organized society - Dizdarević stressed.

He added that „the fact that we remain the strongest political subject despite persecution and attempts to marginalize us shows that citizens see us as the only serious state-building alternative to this experiment that has been going on for far too long“.

Disappointment with the Government and declining support for Europe Now Movement

-- This rating is certainly also influenced by disappointment with the new authorities - Dizdarević assessed, stating that this „is clearly reflected in the decline in support for the Europe Now Movement (Pokret Evropa sad), which today stands at around 19 percent“.

- As we have previously stated, rising nationalism has „consumed“ and continues to erode the populism of this movement - he pointed out.

According to him, „unfulfilled promises of rapidly raising living standards without inflationary shocks, as well as constant internal conflicts, further contribute to the rapid collapse of these policies“.

Security sector and citizens’ sense of insecurity

- The result of the Democrats, which is below 10 percent, is particularly interesting because this party controls key levers in the security sector - said Dizdarević.

He warned that „conflicts within this sector and constant tensions between the Europe Now Movemennt and the Democrats over control of the police, including the appointment of the Director of the Police Directorate and the Minister of the Interior, create a perception of a system lacking seriousness“.

- This produces a sense of insecurity and instability, in other words - citizens do not feel safe - the Portal ETV interviewee emphasized.

Research as an indicator of citizens’ political maturity

- So it could be said that this research is not merely a matter of numbers, but proof of the political maturity of citizens - Dizdarević stated.

As he added, „while the government expends energy on internal disputes over positions and the security sector, which has never been in a worse state, DPS demonstrates stability and is gradually regaining citizens’ trust“.

Fragile majority and the strengthening of the right

- The results of this research represent a strong indicator that the current parliamentary majority no longer has the level of public support it enjoyed after the 2023 elections - Dizdarević assessed.

According to him, „the current government functions on the principle of mutual blackmail, which raises the question of its legitimacy to make strategic decisions“.

- The coalition „For the Future of Montenegro“ is recording growth, exceeding 20 percent, which makes it a relevant factor, while simultaneously increasing pressure on the Europe Now Movement for an even greater reconstruction and a stronger shift to the right - he warned.

EU integration, stability and the return of DPS to the center of decision-making

- Montenegro no longer has time for prolonged stagnation - Dizdarević said, adding that „the only fair way out of this chronic blockade would be the organization of early parliamentary elections“.

However, he emphasized that „the question is how much the process of organizing elections at this moment would harm the dynamics of EU integration, as it would certainly take away valuable time - time we do not have on the EU path, given that we have projected the closure of all negotiating chapters by the end of 2026“.

- The question of the success of the project of re-composing the government is also raised, given that we have seen many experiments since 2020 - he said.

- For now, the most important thing is to ensure stability that would enable the successful completion of negotiations with the European Union - Dizdarević concluded, stating that „DPS is confident that after parliamentary elections, whenever they take place, DPS will return to the center of decision-making as the backbone of a new, stable, and truly European government“.