The Europe Now Movement (PES) condemned what they said was an unacceptable attack on the executive director of the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS), Vanja Ćalović Marković, via the Facebook page "Narodna Sloga".
They said that they do not manage that page, but that it is most likely run by PES sympathizers, and said that such content could never have been created on the instructions of any official of that party.
The Europe Now movement responded to "Vijesti" via its official email address, asking whether PES has anything to do with the aforementioned page and whether it will distance itself from posting on it.
In the meantime, they have issued an official statement from the PES Presidency with the same content.
"We have been informed that content has been distributed on the 'Narodna sloga' page on social networks that inappropriately and degradingly targets the director of MANS, Vanja Ćalović Marković. On this occasion, we inform the public that PES does not manage that page, but rather, it is most likely the movement's sympathizers, over whose content we have absolutely no control or influence. We completely distance ourselves from the content of this page and condemn the discrediting post in the strongest possible terms," the response reads.
They said that Vanja Ćalović Marković has been protecting the interests of the citizens of Montenegro for years and that they recognize this as her undeniable quality.
"In this context, we emphasize that, regardless of disagreements over recent decisions by the Government and PES, such attacks are absolutely unacceptable and do not contribute to democratic dialogue in society. We call on all supporters of the Movement to refrain from personal attacks and to express their views in a manner worthy of democratic values. PES remains committed to a culture of dialogue and respect for different opinions, regardless of differences. Such content could never have been created on the instructions of any of our officials," PES said.
A photo was published on the Facebook profile of "Narodna sloga" that alludes to the dirty campaign against Vanja Ćalović Marković in "Informer" in 2014. The Montenegrin edition of that tabloid, which served the DPS for other dirty attacks on its other critics, was shut down at the end of 2016.
The Narodna sloga profile promoted Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and the Europe Now Movement, as well as criticized their critics, especially in recent days regarding the agreement with the United Arab Emirates and the alleged construction on Velika Plaza in Ulcinj.
After an avalanche of criticism began, the post was first removed from the Narodna Sloga page, and then the entire profile was removed from Facebook.
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