DPS Criticizes PES for Alleged Criminal Ties in Political Discourse

The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has challenged Filip Ivanović, the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, to address alleged connections between the Movement for Europe Now (PES) and organized crime. This response follows Ivanović’s remarks regarding the DPS’s diplomatic efforts in Brussels, suggesting that these actions reflect a fear of the end of PES’s perceived duplicity in its political stance.

In an official statement, the DPS’s parliamentary group emphasized that Ivanović’s comments reveal a significant concern for PES, as it attempts to distance itself from Andrija Mandić, a figure associated with Serbian nationalism. The DPS claims this nationalism contradicts the core values of the European Union, marking a stark contrast to their own political alignment with EU integration.

The statement from the DPS further criticized Ivanović for urging their members to denounce fabricated links to criminal activities. Instead, they assert that he should begin by examining the ties within his own party, where associates are allegedly connected with narcotics trafficking and possess stakes in related assets.

While the DPS acknowledged Ivanović’s past opposition to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, they welcomed his apparent shift towards supporting these initiatives. “We appreciate his evolution, particularly if it is genuine,” the statement read, highlighting how this change underscores the progressive nature of DPS’s policies since Montenegro’s independence.

The DPS also pointed to the challenges posed by Ivanović’s coalition partners, who, they claim, are erecting barriers to Montenegro’s EU accession. The party noted that membership in the EU would signify a definitive setback for the “Serbian world” agenda, further complicating the region’s political landscape. They argued that it is impossible to align with parties that celebrate historical figures associated with Nazi collaboration while seeking consensus in Brussels regarding Montenegro’s EU candidacy.

As the party with the broadest support among Montenegrin citizens, the DPS reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Brussels and EU member states. They concluded their statement by reiterating their goal: to achieve Montenegro’s EU membership by the end of the decade, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation in this endeavor.