Head of Parliament Andrija Mandic (New Serbian Democracy) is not, as it claims, one of the initiators of the initiative for the nomination of the first man of the United States of America (USA). Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, but a signatory of that document written in early December by the president of the US Congress Mike Johnson and leader of the Knesset (Israeli parliament) Amir Ohana.
This follows from official statements from Johnson's and Knesset's websites, reports from Israeli and American media, and a letter from two officials addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Institute.
A statement, published on Johnson's website on December 9 last year, said that he and Ohana officially launched an initiative that day to bring together "presidents and speakers of parliaments around the world" to join them in nominating Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
"Today, Johnson and Ohana signed an official letter launching the initiative, which will be circulated to parliamentary leaders around the world to collect signatures," it says in that post.
A statement published on the Knesset website on December 10 said that Ohana and Johnson had “launched a global parliamentary initiative” to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump.
“The two parliament speakers jointly signed a letter addressed to the Nobel Committee... The final version of the letter will be presented to parliament speakers around the world, so that they can join this recommendation,” is added.
The fact that Johnson and Ohana had launched an initiative for the nomination of the US president was reported in those days. Israeli i American the media.
However, Mandic claims that Johnson and Ohana, along with him, nominated Trump.
"I feel proud that my cabinet delegation, together with the Secretary General of the Assembly, yesterday (January 13) in the holy city of Jerusalem, presented my signature to the joint nomination of US President Donald Trump for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, which, together with me, was initiated by Congress Speaker Mike Johnson and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana," Mandić wrote on X.
He said that they "deeply believe" that in this way they are sending a clear message that what the Western Balkans and the Middle East, as well as the entire world, need most is peace and stability.
"We are certain that numerous other colleagues, presidents of parliaments around the world, will support this noble initiative of ours," he underlined.
Along with that message, he posted a collage photo of himself in the middle, between Johnson and Ohana.
The Parliament announced the day before yesterday that the head of Mandić's cabinet Mirko Miličić, Secretary General of Parliament Boban Stanišić and president of the Jewish Community of Montenegro and Mandić's advisor Nina Ofner Bokan - presented Ohan with Mandić's letter, "as well as the initiative to nominate Trump for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, signed by President Johnson, the Speaker of the Knesset, and Mandić."
However, in Knesset statement The Montenegrin delegation's visit did not state that Ohana received Mandić's letter and "initiative." It states that the Montenegrin Parliament delegation was visiting "with the aim of learning about the integration of artificial intelligence technology in parliamentary work."
The Knesset did not respond to "Vijesti"'s inquiry yesterday about who all the signatories of the initiative for Trump's nomination are, or whether Mandić is its initiator or signatory, while Mandić's office did not answer why the head of the legislative house believes that Trump is the right candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, considering that the US president recently approved the kidnapping of the first man of Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro, without consulting Congress, and that these days he is threatening to - by force, if necessary - occupy Greenland, the territory of NATO member state - Denmark.
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The deadline for nominations for the prize, according to the Norwegian Nobel Institute's website, is January 31. However, the Nobel Committee can add additional names to the list during its first meeting after that date. Last year, that meeting was held on February 26.
Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel stated in his will that the Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to the person "who shall have done the most or best for brotherhood among nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
The Israeli Jerusalem Post reported on December 9th on the initiative launched by Johnson and Ohana, calling it “the most coordinated global effort yet in support of Trump’s candidacy.”
The media outlet stated that the initiative came after Ohana announced its launch in the Knesset. mid-October last year. Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement on October 9, based on a peace plan proposed and brokered by the US president, while Trump addressed the Israeli parliament on October 13.
After that address, Ohana said he would work with Johnson to "bring together the speakers of parliaments" to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, stating that "there is no one more deserving" and that "the world needs more Trumps."
The next day (October 14), Johnson announced at a press conference in Washington that he and Ohana would jointly nominate Trump, which was reported American “Axios”.
Trump was also nominated for last year's Nobel Peace Prize, but the award went to a Venezuelan opposition figure. To Marija Korina MacadoLast week, Trump wrote in a post on his social network "Truth Social" that "Norway is stupid" for not awarding him the award, even though the country had nothing to do with the award.
After Trump approved the kidnapping of Maduro, which killed at least 40 people, including civilians, Machado said she “would like to present the award to Trump and share it with him, on behalf of the Venezuelan people.” Trump responded that it would be a “great honor,” but the Norwegian Nobel Institute said the award “cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred.”
However, Machado today presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump during a meeting at the White House, saying it was a recognition of the US president's commitment to her country's freedom.
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Music: Mandić weaves a web
When asked what the goal of Mandić's signing of the initiative was, and whether it was his attempt to gain the sympathy of the US administration, the political consultant and political scientist from Zagreb Aleksandar Music He told "Vijesti" that Mandić primarily needs the "absolute mercy" of the next US ambassador to Montenegro, adding that this is the "mission and the reason".
He explained that with this move, Mandić is trying to prepare the ground for himself to be "the first domestic political choice for the next US ambassador to Montenegro", after the departure of the ambassador. Judy Rising Reinke.
"Mandić understands that he will never be the primary choice for Europe (although the situation is now miles away from being unacceptable by definition, as many in Montenegro continue to console themselves with), and he wants to secure a diplomatic backstop for mid-2027 and the formation of a new parliamentary majority that could be led by him, someone from his own party, or some deliberately supported weak figure from among the minor partners," said Music.
He emphasized that the first man of the Assembly understands that "all previous bets have fallen, that yesterday's rules, both global and Balkan, do not apply," and that he is "running to conquer space."
"In that sense, I would not ridicule such a proposal at all because it outlines a certain strategic course and is certainly in step with the times, it outlines innovation, unlike the impersonal PES (Europe Now Movement) and the terminally incompetent opposition. I once said that the only one in Montenegrin politics (more precisely - those who lead it) thinks at least a year or two ahead," he assessed.
Music pointed out that in all of this, it doesn't matter who is good, who is bad, and who is evil, who is likeable or unsympathetic, which was the case in 2016 or even last year, but rather who thinks even a little bit ahead and builds pillars of power for themselves.
"In the language of political strategy - who weaves his own web and builds his own tall tower," the interlocutor emphasized.
He stated that it is "crystal clear" that less of this is directly due to Mandić, but that there are one or two people around him "from the shadows who are more intelligent, more networked and more knowledgeable, but they exist". On the other hand, claims Music, there is nothing tactically, let alone strategically - "just blundering from one day to the next, permanent amazement and defeat after defeat".
The road to America's corridors of power
Music said that those leading Mandic are aware of the deep alliance, "if not the umbilical cord connection," between American and Israeli politics, and that they are seeking entry into the American administration through the "Israeli-Jewish card," using, as he says, experience and contacts. Milorad Dodik, instead of direct entry. According to him, they do not yet have the strength and connections to directly enter the "American corridors of power."
"Even Mandić's master, whom he mentions less and less, (the President of Serbia) failed to realize this direct entry." Aleksandar Vučić, who are doing their best by working tirelessly in Florida, by dealing with Serbian trucking companies in America, by relying on guys like Roda Blagojevica "brutally embarrassed, angered Trump's people and was kicked out of there," he said.
He said that the moment is ideal for Mandić's forces, because both the USA and Israel are not at the peak of their popularity in a good part of Europe and the world, and that those who now "uncompromisingly play their cards on that story" and go through a certain tunnel of inconvenience will have certain benefits in the years to come.
He noted that the story of alliances and lobbying is "the untold story of Montenegro."
"Namely, the PES has no allies (if we do not count lower-ranking European officials under alliance), the opposition's allies are neo-Yugoslav regional scoundrels, and Mandić and those who lead him know which doors are worth knocking on at this moment. Russia is thus becoming a withered leaf in the wind for him, a long-forgotten word. From the shank to the Knesset, and perhaps even to the Capitol. We live in an age of chaos, in a rollercoaster of events, and the gains and losses of positioning in such a world will be absolute," the interlocutor pointed out.
Trump's "achievements"
In a letter addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Institute, which launched the initiative for Trump's nomination, Johnson and Ohana stated that during his years of public service, the US president "has been an advocate for peace, unwavering in his commitment to advancing dialogue, promoting diplomacy, and exemplifying principled leadership on the world stage."
They wrote that Trump's contributions to peace include: the 20-point peace plan for Gaza, the Abraham Accords, the India-Pakistan ceasefire, the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire and peace agreement, the reconciliation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement, the economic normalization of Serbia and Kosovo, and the reduction of tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia.
They said Trump's achievements are among the most significant in modern history, and that "few, if any, in history have done more to advance the cause of peace - and no one is more worthy of this honor."
The letter was posted on Johnson's website and its only signatories are himself and Ohana.
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