Đeljošaj: It is incorrect to claim that the current model of electoral legislation is affirmative for minority peoples

The leader of the Albanian Forum, Nik Đeljošaj, said that it is completely incorrect to claim that the current model of electoral legislation is affirmative for minority peoples.

"On the contrary, it is worth recalling that the withdrawal of guaranteed mandates from Albanians in 2011 was agreed upon by the DPS and SNP, behind closed doors, despite the clear opposition of Albanian political representatives," said Đeljošaj, reacting to a statement by Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Nikola Rakočević.

The consequences of such a model, as Đeljošaj said, are visible in practice.

"In the 2012 elections, around 6.000 votes were needed for one mandate for Albanian parties, while around 4.000 votes were enough for mandates for other parties. An even more pronounced example was recorded in 2016, when around 9.000 votes were needed for one mandate for Albanian parties, compared to approximately 3.800 votes for the others," he adds.

He says that this is not an affirmation of minority rights, but the opposite: "It is a systemic injustice that must be corrected. It is illogical to present as an affirmative measure something that in its essence produces discrimination."

Attempts by "the younger generations of DPS" to present such practices differently, as he said, do not contribute to solving the problem, but rather deepen it.

"Learning from mistakes is always more productive than insisting on policies that we all know how they ended. The indigenous Albanian voice will continue to be heard clearly and strongly in the Parliament of Montenegro, despite decades of denial," stated Đeljošaj.

He says that voice should be strengthened through fair electoral reform, which will ensure adequate and equitable representation of the Albanian community through guaranteed mandates.

"Finally, let me remind my colleague Rakočević what affirmation looks like: The parliamentary elections in Slovenia, an EU member, ended yesterday. The Italian and Hungarian minorities, although they only have 0,1% and 0,3%, have guaranteed mandates in parliament, that is a European standard and affirmative action," Đeljošaj pointed out.