The pro-Russian Democratic Front (DF) in Montenegro has issued a strong warning to Deputy Prime Minister Nik Gjeloshaj, an ethnic Albanian, after he opposed the coalition's initiatives to introduce dual citizenship and recognize Serbian as an official language. The DF, part of the ruling government, released a statement urging Gjeloshaj to "accept Montenegro's social reality" and not deny rights to others, hinting at consequences with the remark, "if he bites off too much, he may break his teeth." local media say.
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| Gjeloshaj speaking in the Montenegrin parliament |
Gjeloshaj, who is also Montenegro’s Minister of Economic Development, holds significant influence as a key representative of the Albanian community, which comprises over 30,000 citizens in Montenegro, representing more than 5% if its population. Albanians in the country are represented by several political parties, and their collective voice plays a critical role in the country’s political landscape. The deputy prime minister's stance reflects the broader concerns of the Albanian community, which values the preservation of Montenegro's multi-ethnic identity and its pro-European course.
During his visit to Washington, where he signed a Strategic Economic Cooperation Memorandum between Montenegro and the United States, Gjeloshaj highlighted his opposition to what he described as "potentially destabilizing activities" by clerical-nationalist structures. These initiatives, including proposals to amend Montenegro’s citizenship law and adopt legislation modeled on Russia's foreign agent law, according to Gjeloshaj, threaten to derail the country's path towards European integration.
In an interview with Voice of America, Gjeloshaj stressed that these DF-led initiatives aim to slow Montenegro's progress toward EU membership. Montenegro has been a frontrunner among Western Balkan countries in the EU accession process, and Gjeloshaj reiterated that his red lines for remaining in government are clear: any decision that does not align with EU and U.S. policies would trigger a re-evaluation of his party’s participation in the coalition.
The Montenegrin government underwent a reconstruction in July 2023, which saw the inclusion of DF and the Bosniak Party. Pro-Russian parties gained two deputy prime minister posts and three ministerial positions, while the Bosniak Party took one deputy prime minister and five ministerial roles. This restructuring, however, remains under scrutiny as political tensions rise, especially with the involvement of Albanian representatives like Gjeloshaj who are committed to safeguarding Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic trajectory.
As the political dynamics in Montenegro evolve, the influence of the Albanian community and its leaders like Gjeloshaj remains crucial. Their role is pivotal in maintaining the country's stability and ensuring it stays on the path toward EU integration, despite rising challenges from nationalist and pro-Russian factions.