For the Future of Montenegro

For the Future of Montenegro (Serbian: За будућност Црне Горе, romanizedZa budućnost Crne Gore, ZBCG) is a mainly cultural conservative and Serb political coalition in Montenegro, formed for the 2020 and 2023 parliamentary elections.[3][4] It has been described as a grouping that is "pro-Serbian".[5] The coalition common list for 2020 election was led by a Montenegrin university professor, Zdravko Krivokapić. The leader of the list in 2023 is Milan Knežević.[6]

For the Future of Montenegro
За будућност Црне Горе
Za budućnost Crne Gore
LeaderZdravko Krivokapić
(2020–2021)
Collective leadership
(2021–2023)
Milan Knežević
(2023– )
Founded2 August 2020 (2020-08-02)
HeadquartersPodgorica
IdeologyCultural conservatism
Anti-corruption
Serb ethnic interests
Political positionRight-wing[1][2]
SloganTruth. Justice. Finally!
Parliament
13 / 81
Mayors
6 / 25
Local Parliaments
120 / 847
Website
www.zabuducnost.me

Coalition constituent members for 2020 parliamentary election are; two alliances Democratic Front (New Serb Democracy, Movement for Changes, Democratic People's Party and True Montenegro), Popular Movement (United Montenegro, Workers' Party, independent group in the parliament, also some minor right-wing parties, such as DSJ and DSS), NGO NDCG and Socialist People's Party, which is not part of any of alliances, but maintains close cooperation with the newly-formed Popular Movement. The coalition is also supported by a number of minor non-parliamentary organizations such as far-right Serb Radical Party of Montenegro, as well as far-left Yugoslav Communist Party, also of some Serb national and cultural NGOs in Montenegro, such as Serb National Council of Montenegro.[3]

Andrija Mandić used the name of the coalition for his 2023 presidential campaign.[7] The coalition was revived ahead of the 2023 parliamentary election, but without the Movement for Changes, Socialist People's Party, Ne damo Crnu Goru and True Montenegro.[8][9]

History

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Former logo

2020 election campaign

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The coalition was formed in August 2020, and was initially composed of two alliances Democratic Front, Popular Movement and Socialist People's Party, which is not part of any alliances. The main goal of the coalition is to overthrow the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) of President Milo Đukanović, which has been in power since its founding in 1991. All coalition member parties employed a more significant cultural and socially conservative discourse, due to 2020 Montenegrin political crisis and the open conflict between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the DPS-led Montenegrin government, following the adoption of the disputed law on the status of religious communities in Montenegro, supporting 2019–2020 clerical protests in Montenegro and Serbian Orthodox Church rights in Montenegro.[3][10] Many media, analysts, but also political opponents have labeled the new coalition as the "Vučić's list", because major parties in the new coalition have very close cooperation with the populist SNS-led regime in Serbia, the largest number of constituents of the new coalition were present at several meetings in Belgrade during 2019 and 2020, organized by Serbian President (also the SNS chairman) Aleksandar Vučić, gathering "leaders of Serb communities" in Serbia's neighboring countries.[3][11][12][13]

New parliamentary majority

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30 August 2020 election resulted in a victory for the opposition parties and the fall from power of the ruling DPS, which has ruled the country since the introduction of the multi-party system in 1990. Shortly after the polls were closed, before the final results were published, coalition leader Krivokapić announced the coalition's victory stating that "freedom has happened in Montenegro".[14] In his speech he also stated that there won't be revanchism and he also offered ethnic minority parties to enter the new government.[15] The coalition won 32.55% of the popular vote which equals 27 seats in the parliament.[16] Krivokapić and the leaders of the coalitions Peace is Our Nation and In Black and White, Aleksa Bečić and Dritan Abazović, agreed during meeting on several principles on which the future government will rest, including the formation of an expert government, to continue to work on the European Union accession process, fight against corruption, overcoming society polarization, and to work on changing the disputed Law on Religious Communities.[17] They also welcomed minority parties of Bosniaks and Albanians of Montenegro, and wished to form government with them.[17] The coalition also won additional 13 seats in the municipal elections held in Andrijevica, Budva, Gusinje, Kotor and Tivat.[18]

Dissolution and aftermath

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The Coalition eventually dissolved prior to the assembly of the new parliament in October 2020, when all the constituent members formed separate parliamentary groups. Minor United Montenegro and Workers' Party left the Popular Movement of Daka Davidović, joining Democratic Front (DF), while the Movement for Changes (5 MPs) decided to leave DF parliamentary group, returning to its pro-western roots, forming its independent parliamentary group, as earlier did the Socialist People's Party with 5 MPs, leaving the Democratic Front parliamentary group with 17 representatives.[19]

Since a political split with their candidate for PM, Zdravko Krivokapić, after he questioned their competence to participate in his cabinet, leaders of the Democratic Front, Andrija Mandić, Milan Knežević and Nebojša Medojević started to publicly criticize the alleged influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well of the businessman Daka Davidović on Krivokapić decisions and on composition of his cabinet, which they eventually supported in parliament after all. Mandić claimed that Krivokapić had been appointed head of the "For the Future" list after "pressure and conditioning of electoral support" by "parts of the Serbian Orthodox Church",[20] accusing parts of the church and Krivokapić of "acting on someone's orders from abroad", while Medojević stated that Bishop Joanikije Mićović and priest Gojko Perović set the terms of the church's support and threatened to withdraw Krivokapić from the electoral list, a few days before handing over the electoral lists for 2020 parliamentary election, which Perović categorically denied.[21] During October and November Medojević and Mandić have repeatedly conditioned their parties' support for the Krivokapić Cabinet, if they were not part of it. Mandić explicitly asked Krivokapić to "return the mandate and that they would look for a new PM designate".[22][23] Unfoundedly accusing and public insults were publicly condemned by the Serbian Church, PM Krivokapić, Davidović, but also by the DF's coalition partner the Socialist People's Party, while the True Montenegro of Marko Milačić decided to left the Democratic Front parliamentary group, out the protest.[24]

Since early 2021, despite the fact he's still an independent politician, many media outlets and opposition subjects, as well some parties in the parliamentary majority accused PM Krivokapić and Ne damo Crnu Goru movement of being affiliated and working in close relations with the centrist Democrats-led Peace is Our Nation alliance, which Krivokapić himself has repeatedly denied. Eventually, the local branches of the organization participated in the 2021 municipal-level elections, in Nikšić and Herceg Novi, as part of the coalition gathered around the Democrats, while, Socialist People's Party decided to rejoin coalition with the Democratic Front in order to participate at the local elections.[25][26] Ever since the constitution of Krivokapić's cabinet in December 2021, the Democratic Front launched a negative campaign and open public pressure, with frequent demands on PM Krivokapić to choose his cabinet reshuffle with their leaders within, or to resign from the post, supported by populist SNS regime in Serbia, as well SNS-controlled media and affiliated political outlets in Serbia and Montenegro, and besides, DF continued providing its limited parliamentary support to Krivokapić and his cabinet.[27][28] Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic's government was toppled in no-confidence vote after only 14 months in power.[29]

2023 elections

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The alliance reformed ahead of the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections, with NSD, DNP, and RP. Andrija Mandić was the coalition's candidate in the first round, who eventually came in third place. The alliance endorsed Europe Now! candidate and eventual winner Jakov Milatović for the second round.[citation needed] In the 2023 parliamentary elections, the alliance came in third place, winning 13 seats in total.[citation needed]

Electoral performance

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Presidential elections

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Election Candidate 1st round 2nd round Result
Votes % Votes %
2023 Andrija Mandić 65,394 19.32% Lost  N

Parliamentary elections

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Election Coalition leader Performance Rank Government
Votes % Seats +/–
2020 Zdravko Krivokapić 133,261 32.55%
27 / 81
New 2nd Support 2020–22
Opposition 2022–23
2023 Milan Knežević 44,565 14.74%
13 / 81
  14 3rd Support 2023–24
Government 2024–

Member parties

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Party Ideology Leader Since No. of seats
New Serb Democracy
Nova srpska demokratija
Нова српска демократија
NSD National conservatism
Serbian nationalism
Andrija Mandić 2020–
9 / 81
Democratic People's Party
Demokratska narodna partija
Демократска народна партија
DNP Social conservatism
Populism
Russophilia
Milan Knežević 2020–
4 / 81
Workers' Party
Radnička partija
Радничка партија
RP Social conservatism
Populism
Maksim Vučinić 2020–
0 / 81

Former members

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Party Abbreviation Ideology Leader Member
Movement for Changes
Pokret za promjene
Покрет за промјене
PzP Right-wing populism
Conspiracy theorism
Euroscepticism
Nebojša Medojević 2020–2023
Socialist People's Party
Socijalistička narodna partija
Социјалистичка народна партија
SNP Social conservatism
Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Vladimir Joković 2020–2022
True Montenegro[a]
Prava Crna Gora
Права Црна Гора
Prava Right-wing populism
Military neutrality
Marko Milačić 2020–2021
United Montenegro[a]
Ujedinjena Crna Gora
Уједињена Црна Гора
UCG Conservatism
Pro-Europeanism
Unionism
Vladimir Dobričanin 2020–2022
Free Montenegro[b]
Slobodna Crna Gora
Слободна Црнa Горa
SCG Right-wing populism
Social conservatism
Serbian nationalism
Vladislav Dajković 2021–2022

a Members of the Democratic Front's parliamentary group only. b Regional-level partner parties

Parliamentary seats (2020)

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Elected MPs from the list at the parliamentary elections in August 2020. a List's ballot carrier Krivokapić (NDCG) handed over his parpiamentary seat to a representative of the New Serb Democracy, after his election for Prime Minister in December 2020.

Name Ideology Position Leader MPs
New Serb Democracy[nb 1]
Nova srpska demokratija
Нова српска демократија
National conservatism
Serbian-Montenegrin unionism
Russophilia
Right-wing Andrija Mandić
9 / 81
Movement for Changes[nb 1]
Pokret za promjene
Покрет за промјене
Populism
Souverainism
Anti-corruption
Right-wing Nebojša Medojević
5 / 81
Democratic People's Party[nb 1]
Demokratska narodna partija
Демократска народна партија
Populism
Serbian–Montenegrin unionism
Social conservatism
Right-wing Milan Knežević
5 / 81
Socialist People's Party
Socijalistička narodna partija
Социјалистичка народна партија
Social conservatism
Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Syncretic Vladimir Joković
5 / 81
True Montenegro[nb 1]
Prava Crna Gora
Права Црна Гора
Right-wing populism
Social conservatism
Serbian-Montenegrin unionism
Right-wing Marko Milačić
1 / 81
United Montenegro[nb 2]
Ujedinjena Crna Gora
Уједињена Црна Гора
Cultural conservatism
National conservatism
Pro-Europeanism
Centre-right Goran Danilović
1 / 81
Workers' Party[nb 2]
Radnička partija
Радничка партија
Social conservatism
Left-wing populism
Cultural conservatism
Syncretic Maksim Vučinić
1 / 81
  1. ^ a b c d Member of the Democratic Front alliance
  2. ^ a b Member of the Popular Movement alliance

Parliamentary seats (2023)

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Elected MPs from the list at the parliamentary elections in June 2023.

Name Ideology Position Leader MPs
New Serb Democracy[nb 1]

Nova srpska demokratija
Нова српска демократија
National conservatism
Serbian-Montenegrin unionism
Russophilia
Right-wing Andrija Mandić
9 / 81
Democratic People's Party[nb 1]
Demokratska narodna partija
Демократска народна партија
Populism
Serbian–Montenegrin unionism
Social conservatism
Right-wing Milan Knežević
4 / 81
Workers' Party[nb 2]
Radnička partija
Радничка партија
Social conservatism
Left-wing populism
Cultural conservatism
Syncretic Maksim Vučinić
0 / 81
  1. ^ a b Member of the Democratic Front alliance
  2. ^ Member of the Popular Movement alliance

References

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  1. ^ Gadzo, Mersiha (5 September 2020). "Bosniaks in Montenegro live in 'fear, anxiety' following election". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  2. ^ Koseva, Denitsa (11 June 2023). "Montenegro's Europe Now leads in June 11 snap general election". bne IntelliNews. Sofia. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Dogovorili se DF, SNP, Narodni pokret, Prava Crna Gora i ostali: Krivokapić nosilac liste". www.vijesti.me.
  4. ^ Litije dobile politički profil: Zdravko Krivokapić na čelu koalicije DF-a, SNP-a, Prave Crne Gore i Narodnog pokreta!, borba.me, 1 August 2020
  5. ^ Milic, Predrag (11 June 2023). "Montenegro holds snap parliamentary vote that could determine its EU path". The Independent. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  6. ^ Уредник (2023-05-22). "Носилац листе ,,За будућност Црне Горе" Милан Кнежевић: Ако бих био изабран за премијера ја бих, са највећом чашћу, потписао Одлуку о повлачењу признања тзв. државе Косово и Метохија, макар ми то било посљедње у животу"". Српска радио телевизија (in Serbian). Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  7. ^ "Интервју - Андрија Мандић, предсједнички кандидат савеза "За будућност Црне Горе"". RTCG - Radio Televizija Crne Gore - Nacionalni javni servis (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  8. ^ "Nema vlade bez koalicije "Za budućnost Crne Gore"". RTCG - Radio Televizija Crne Gore - Nacionalni javni servis (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  9. ^ "МАНДИЋ: Знамо за план западних амбасада". pravda.rs. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  10. ^ DF, SNP, Narodni pokret i Prava zajedno na izborima, Vijesti, 31 July 2020
  11. ^ Milovi, Vučićevi, Amfilohijevi; razvrstavanje, Monitor
  12. ^ Od "Vučićeve liste" ostao samo DF, RTCG/Pobjeda
  13. ^ Beograd gura SNP u zagrljalj Frontu, CdM, 29 July 2020
  14. ^ Nedeljnik.rs (2020-08-30). "Zdravko Krivokapić, nosilac najjače opozicione liste: U Crnoj Gori se desila sloboda. Pružamo svima ruku pomirenja, nudimo nacionalnim strankama da priđu pobedniku". Nedeljnik. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  15. ^ "Krivokapić: Desila se sloboda, pružamo ruku pomirenja". Politika Online. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  16. ^ "Rezultati DIK-a na 100 odsto prebrojanih glasova: DPS 35.06, "Za budućnost Crne Gore" 32.55 odsto glasova". vijesti.me (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  17. ^ a b "Montenegrin opposition agrees on expert government, revision of disputed laws". N1. 2020-08-31. Archived from the original on 2020-09-08. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  18. ^ "Montenegro Opposition Calls for Reconciliation After Claiming Election Win". 31 August 2020. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  19. ^ Klubovi poslanika, Skupština Crne Gore/Parliament of Montenegro (Retrieved 28 October 2020)
  20. ^ Mandić tražio od Krivokapića da se izvini Vučiću, Knežević vikao na mitropolita Amfilohija, 22 September 2020
  21. ^ Gojko Perović: Stiče se utisak da Nebojša Medojević preuzima anti-crkveni manir od svojih dojučerašnjih protivnika, Vijesti, 23 October 2020
  22. ^ Ko prolongira formiranje vlade, radi za DPS, Vijesti, 26 October 2020
  23. ^ NE ODUSTAJE OD EKSPERTSKOG KONCEPTA: Krivokapić saopštio Mandiću: Nova vlada bez tri lidera, Vijesti, 24 October 2020
  24. ^ Šćekić pozvao Medojevića i predstavnike ostalih partija da prekinu sa uvredama i iznošenjem neprovjerenih izjava, Vijesti (Nov 2020)
  25. ^ DPS izgubio većinu u Nikšiću, stranke na vlasti na državnom nivou slave pobedu, 14 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-11
  26. ^ Herceg Novi: Uzlet Demokrata i pad Đukanovićeve DPS, Radio Slobodna Evropa, 10 May 2021
  27. ^ Milačić: Neću učestvovati u destabilizaciji Vlade, MINA
  28. ^ Nema izbora dok se ide po dubini, Vijesti, 3 June 2021
  29. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Montenegro's government toppled in no-confidence vote | DW | 05.02.2022". DW.COM.