Ten years after the founding gathering at Independence Square, Democratic Montenegro is celebrating its first decade of existence as a political entity that, according to its own assessments, "changed the country's political scene from the ground up."
At the central celebration in Podgorica, the party evoked memories of 2015 when, as they point out, with the support of citizens and without a formal political infrastructure, it embarked on a then uncertain struggle for reforms, freedom and a European perspective.
On this occasion, the President of Democratic Montenegro, Aleksa Bečić, recalled the very beginnings:
"I remember that day when we did not know where the road would take us, but we swore that we would never compromise our values. Today, a decade later, we can proudly say that we have remained true to that vow, a political force whose finances are transparent and whose priorities are always on the side of the citizens."
Over the past ten years, the Democrats have built a position as one of the key parties on the political spectrum, with a period in opposition, but also an active role in government, especially in the areas of security, reform and the fight against organized crime.
150 suspended, none protected, and the purges are just beginning
According to available data, in the ten years since its founding, Democratic Montenegro remains among the rare parties in the country whose senior officials have not been subject to criminal proceedings or accused of abuse of office. In their public appearances, party representatives often highlight this fact as key evidence of political consistency and institutional purity.
In addition, in a mandate marked by reforms in the security sector, ministers coming from the ranks of the Democrats, acting on the initiative of Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, launched a vetting process in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Army of Montenegro.
As part of this process, which aims to verify the legality and professional suitability of security sector officials, almost 150 members of the Police and Army have been suspended so far. The process, as announced by the competent departments, also includes disciplinary proceedings, security checks and the obligation of managers to declare themselves on the established ethical violations.
Democratic Montenegro says that vetting is "the key dividing line between a state captured by the system and a state freed from fear," and that the party "will remain committed to building institutions that do not answer to parties, but to citizens."
Forgotten for decades, compensated today: Laws that restored justice
In addition to institutional reforms, members of the Democratic Montenegro Party have proposed numerous laws from the corpus of socially sensitive and financially demanding projects that, as they claim, are aimed at correcting decades-old injustices.
In recent years, in cooperation with other government partners, child allowances have been restored and free textbooks have been introduced for all primary school students in Montenegro. Old-age benefits have also been increased fivefold, while one-time benefits for newborns have increased by up to 25 times compared to the previous amount.
Special emphasis was placed on compensation for former workers in the wood processing industry, who have been waiting for decades for their status to be resolved, as well as for former employees in the mining and metal sectors.
After a long legal and political struggle, benefits for mothers with three or more children were restored, which previously caused great controversy in the public.
For Democrats, vetting is the country's line of defense
The party, which identifies itself as civic and centrist at the national level, particularly emphasizes its multiethnic and multiconfessional character, as well as its openness towards members of all religions and nations.
They will replace anyone who blocks vetting.
During the tenth anniversary ceremony, the President of Democratic Montenegro Aleksa Bečić presented numerous plaques, awards and letters of appreciation to prominent individuals, emphasizing that "these ten years belong to all those who, in the most difficult moments, chose honor over calculation, and the state over personal interest."
In his address to those present, Bečić said that Democratic Montenegro remains fully committed to the fight against organized crime and corruption, recalling that it was precisely at the initiative of officials of this party that the vetting process in the security sector was initiated, which, as he emphasized, is "irreversible and mandatory."
"The vetting will not stop. Whoever does not carry out the vetting will be politically removed. We will not allow this historic chance for institutional reform to turn into a compromise with the past," Bečić said.
He also announced the start of the re-registration of party membership at all levels, emphasizing that "Democratic Montenegro must remain the political home of those who believe in the law, truth and responsibility, and not a haven for those who would like to hide behind a party badge."
Bečić concluded that the fight against crime is neither a campaign nor a tactic, but “the essence of patriotism in a time when the state is being made into a state again.” According to him, it is loyalty to principles, not popularity, that is the reason why the Democrats “lasted ten years without scandals, indictments, and internal divisions.”
(Democratic Montenegro)
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