Although Montenegro declaratively calls for anti-fascist values, in practice it cultivates a parade of anti-fascism, while instead of solidarity and respect, narratives of revisionism, intolerance, and a formal European path without substantial change are increasingly spreading.
This stems from the answers of the interlocutors of "Vijesti" to the questions about what today is May 9th - Victory Day over Fascism and Europe Day for Montenegro, at a time when influential domestic figures are revising history, when there is talk of moving monuments to the bearers of the anti-fascist struggle, and when the highest state officials and authorities, as some of the public claim, are implementing anti-European policies masquerading as Europeans.
"Anti-fascism has become such an abused term that it is completely meaningless. It is essentially a pacifist idea and moral stance. If discrimination is a prerequisite for fascism, tolerance is the basis of anti-fascism. I think we are fooling ourselves when we keep repeating that today's Montenegro is based on the values of anti-fascism. We are only a declaratively anti-fascist society," he told "Vijesti" Ivan Mijanović from the non-governmental association Antifascists of Cetinje.
Until recently, long-time editor of the weekly "Monitor" Esad Kocan, he assessed that fascism, "the eternal potential of nothingness," cannot be defeated once and for all.
"When we look at Europe, we will see that fascism has not been defeated forever, on the contrary. There it is being regenerated, these ideas are being renewed, they are getting stronger, and in some places they are even dominating. Here too... We have a parade of anti-fascism," he told "Vijesti".
Philosopher Slađana Kavarić Mandić, also claims that the fight against fascism is not over, but on the contrary - that in Montenegro we have good foundations to continue the anti-fascist fight, which, he says, is necessary.
"Because the expansion of fascist tendencies is inevitable. Class injustice, exploitation, oppression, the strengthening of nationalism, clericalism are all more obvious and louder, because they are well paid for," she underlines.
The capitulation of Nazi Germany on this day exactly 80 years ago ended World War II in Europe, and that date is commemorated as Victory over Fascism Day. Given that, according to Moscow time, the capitulation was signed on May 9, that date is accepted as Victory Day in the Soviet Union and areas under its influence, while in Western countries it is celebrated a day earlier.
May 1950th is also celebrated as Europe Day, because on that day in XNUMX, the creation of the European Union (EU) began.
Patterns that lead to intolerance
Both Mijanović and Kočan cite a recent statement by the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral as a negative example of the meaninglessness of anti-fascist values. Joanikia, that he is a Chetnik commander and a war criminal Pavle Djurišić was a "great hero of invincible character".
Mijanović said that the thesis that we are only a declaratively anti-fascist society is confirmed by all research showing that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) is the most influential institution in the country.
"And if we know their attitude not only towards historical facts from the past and the crimes that occurred - which we have witnessed in recent days with the story of Pavle Đurišić as a great hero - but also their lack of perception of Montenegrin society as a society of citizens, it is clear that the anti-fascist idea is not dominant in Montenegro," he claims.
The interviewee states that this is also supported by the silence of the ruling structures regarding the glorification of war criminals and collaborators of fascists and Nazis.
Heads of State and Parliament Jakov Milatovic i Andrija Mandic, as well as most of the ruling parties, are still silent about Joaniki's message, while the Prime Minister Milojko Spajic responded to it by saying that he did not support "statements that have the potential to intensify already expressed divisions."
"Instead of fostering solidarity, respect and appreciation of the uniqueness of Montenegrin society, patterns that lead to national and religious intolerance continue to spread. Such narratives and obvious examples of revisionism only take us back," Mijanović concluded.
Kočan said that Joanikije made his statement without fear that his faithful would rebel against it, and that he obviously correctly assumed that it would not provoke a harsh reaction.
"We have a parade of anti-fascism, but deep down... Just look at the statement of the high priest of the largest religious community in Montenegro, a man whose mass crimes are documented, which are not incidental, who proudly boasted in a report to his commander about how many civilians he killed...", said Kočan.
An example of the meaninglessness of anti-fascist values is the announcement by the president of Free Montenegro Vladislava Dajkovic, that he will submit an initiative to the Podgorica parliament to have the monument Josip Broz Tito moved to Cetinje. Mayor of Podgorica Saša Mujović On this occasion, he said that he did not think it was a good move, adding that Tito was the reality of the former SFRY, Montenegro and "this city, which was called Titograd for more than 50 years."
Therefore, he announced that he would not accept the announced initiative.
"If I am too vocal - that is another matter, but I will be absolutely against any rewriting of history," he said.
Kavarić Mandić says that anti-fascism in Montenegro still exists only in propaganda speeches, “as a figure of speech that we are not sure exactly what it means, but it is still sometimes used, because there is a feeling that it means something important.” In practice, he adds, not so much.
"On the one hand, under the orchestrated and not at all accidental growing right wing, the legacy of anti-fascism is being revised, falsified and cursed, while on the other hand, neoliberal, ideologically opportunistic currents are consuming anti-fascism on a diet in embassies and political-diplomatic receptions. The Montenegrin political quagmire is deciding the fate of Tito's monument, and church, right-wing, anti-communist, local-patriotic and party arguments are being drawn. All are equal in their ideological failure and malice in perceiving a historical period that improved this area," she emphasizes.
"Peko and Koča can't do it with Draž, Krsto, Osman..."
Mijanović assessed that, despite everything, it cannot be said that the anti-fascist heritage is being ignored in Montenegro. He said that there is still a strong memory among a part of the population of socialist Yugoslavia and the national liberation struggle, which, according to him, was a fight for a different society - based on equality and solidarity.
"The Yugoslav socialist period, which was created on the foundations of the National Liberation Movement and anti-fascism, represented the civilizational peak of our peoples," he claims.
The interlocutor said that, unfortunately, in all countries of the former Yugoslavia there are pronounced fascist elements, and that many crimes committed in the name of religion and nation are minimized and relativized.
"Some accuse each other of fascism, while simultaneously perceiving their 'own' people as anti-fascist. Today, in Croatia, the Ustasha movement does not defend itself from 'anti-fascist' positions, but it has strong support in a part of Croatian society and the Catholic Church, unlike in Serbia, where the followers of the Chetnik movement tragically insist on their own anti-fascism, and are strongly supported in this by the state and the church," he added.
Mijanović notes that, on the other hand, there are "quasi-anti-fascists" - those who see themselves as continuing the anti-fascist struggle from World War II, but who are essentially not and actually compromise anti-fascist ideas.
"I cannot shake hands with Peko and Koča with Draž, Krsto, Osman or Jusup," he said, adding that the state's attitude towards anti-fascism is only declarative and that it must not be just a legacy from the past.
"It must be an active fight against today's forms of fascism. On the other hand, we need a large, regional renewal of anti-fascism, an anti-fascism that will not only have a national character," Mijanović underlined.
Esad Kočan said that anti-fascist achievements should be viewed on multiple levels, and that anti-fascist achievements are not just about marking dates from what our ancestors did.
"We need the logic of an inverted pyramid - how did you deal with the crimes of the 1990s, committed by people who are still alive and walking these streets? Did those crimes make it into textbooks... If they are our inspiration for the fight against fascism from the mid-twentieth century, we need to show what kind of attitude we have towards the crimes and evil, the ideas of evil, that are being born in our time," he assessed.
Antifascism (is) alive
Member of Parliament from the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Sonja Milatović, told "Vijesti" that anti-fascism represents "an inseparable part of the being of the state of Montenegro and the foundation of the glorious Montenegrin history."
"Today, unfortunately, in Montenegro we live in a time in which we often witness the glorification of fascism from various sources. And what is particularly worrying in this context is the silence of the highest state officials on attempts to revise the anti-fascist legacy. This is unacceptable, unacceptable and devastating."
The opposition European Union responded to the list by saying that for Montenegro and all anti-fascists, "enlightened citizens whose personal and political values are based on the principles of humanity, equality and freedom for all people regardless of their affiliation or affiliation...", May 9th is a great and important date.
"Someone, such as falsely civic and falsely pro-European individuals, crypto-parties and organizations, who in the Government headed by the Prime Minister (Milojko) With spaghetti, only serve as a pontoon bridge to openly nationalist platforms, it represents a protocol formality that they must play so that it does not ultimately prove that they are without any ideology and values that they carry with them, least of all European and anti-fascist. They are not interested in that, blowing into the sails of openly fascist ideas, they see in anti-fascism the cause of division in Montenegrin society.
Member of Parliament from the ruling Socialist People's Party Bogdan Božović, told "Vijesti" that anti-fascism in Montenegro still lives through associations, families of fighters and institutions that preserve the memory of the National Liberation War, as well as the memory of ancestors who paid for freedom with their lives...
"European values - freedom, justice, equality, respect for human rights and solidarity - are today an integral part of Montenegro and the EU, and Montenegro, as a country aspiring to membership, is obliged to nurture and promote them, not only on May 9th, but every day."
The head of the Democratic Party parliamentary group, Boris Bogdanović, said that for them, May 9th is a reminder of the fight for freedom and the obligation to build and preserve that freedom today.
"Antifascism is the foundation of our modern statehood, and the European path is not a geographical orientation, but a value commitment that must live in institutions, laws and an everyday culture of respect for differences."
He said that anti-fascism in Montenegro is still alive thanks to the people, not thanks to the three-decade-old system.
He emphasized that the state must demonstrate that it lives up to its historical obligations:
"This means: protection of historical heritage, respect for the truth, institutional support for a culture of remembrance and education that will explain to young people why fascism was defeated and why it must never return."
He pointed out that in Montenegro today there are attempts and a strong will to implement European values such as the rule of law, respect for human rights, the fight against corruption, freedom of expression, independent institutions and justice for all, but also "strong resistance from those who have been accustomed to using the system only for themselves for 30 years."
"That is precisely why the fight for European values in Montenegro today is not being waged in negotiations with Brussels, but in the Parliament, the prosecutor's office, the police and the public."
Kavarić Mandić: A day to remember all known and unknown victims
Slađana Kavarić Mandić believes that May 9, 2025, is an important date because fascism was defeated eight decades ago, but also, as she states, "a combative, humanistic and anti-fascist period in Europe was rounded off."
Although, she says, today is also celebrated as Europe Day, it seems, in her words, "that the original and historical significance of this date is that which concerns the end of World War II."
"So May 9th is an important reminder of all those who were willing to sacrifice their lives for universal values, for freedom and humanism. This is a day when we should remember all the known and unknown victims of fascist and Nazi terror, all the values that emerged from that struggle, all the partisans who made it possible for the dignity of human life to survive and for solidarity to be thought and lived, even if only briefly."
Europe is not what it used to be either.
Responding to the question of whether there are European values today in Montenegro, but also in Europe, Mijanović said that he thinks that a good part of Europeans no longer believe in the original European values defined by (former French Foreign Minister) Robert Schuman in 1950.
"Today's Europe and the world are more like the 1920s and 1930s, when fascism and Nazism were born."
He states that Europe should return to the idea of preserving peace, tolerance and global solidarity.
"We cannot talk about humanistic and universal values when Europe turns a blind eye to the genocide being carried out in Gaza or when it does not engage in the search for peace in Ukraine."
Esad Kočan said that in the 21s, the world watched the genocide in Srebrenica and allowed it to happen in the UN protected area, and that today, "while the most terrible genocide of the XNUMXst century is taking place," the world is not watching, but helping.
"When we talk about European values, we always think of that European norm, what Europe has given to the world. That is the anti-fascist tradition of Europe, that is the spirit of tolerance and the nurturing of diversity, that is a critical way of thinking about power. Europe's greatest contribution is doubt - the ability to think critically. Fascists can build bridges too, but to think critically, to think universally, to seek space for every human being... That is why our situation is so bad today, precisely because our local and those global players, who are not resistant to fascist ideas, find their 'scavengers' here to serve them."
Kočan said that heading towards Europe is "like taking a driving test," adding that processes must be viewed critically, "because not everything that comes from Europe is anti-fascism."
Bonus video:
