Podgorica, (MINA) - In the EU accession process, Montenegro focuses heavily on Brussels and insufficiently monitors political developments in the member states, where the strengthening of the radical right could significantly complicate or slow down its EU accession, said Filip Milacic, a researcher at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Vienna and at the Democratic Institute of the Central European University in interview with the MINA News Agency.

He said that, despite some progress, Montenegro is not implementing essential reforms, making it very easy for the member states to find a reason to block its EU accession. 

When asked about Montenegro’s achievements since the restoration of its independence in building civil society and institutions, Milacic said that the pillars of heterogeneous societies like Montenegro’s are strong institutions and a clearly developed, inclusive national narrative.

“In the past 20 years, Montenegro has failed to build these, which makes it vulnerable. The definition of Montenegro in the Constitution as a civil state is highly commendable, but not enough”, emphasized Milacic.

According to him, in contrast to ethno-nationalist views, Montenegrin progressive political actors must develop a unifying narrative and give it emotional weight, as that is the only way people can be moved.

According to Milacic, such a narrative can be built around the EU membership, which would highlight Montenegro’s western, pluralistic and liberal character.

“Montenegro is on the right track, but my impression is that it places too much hopes on Brussels, and much less attention is paid to what is happening in member states”, said Milacic.

As he explained, it is very likely that there will be a situation in which the ratification of Montenegro’s Accession Treaty in France will be decided by the parliament in which the strongest party is the radical right bloc National Gathering, or Germany, where may coincide with the elections and the influence of the German radical right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Milacic also said that the situation is made even worse by the fact that, despite certain developments, Montenegro is not implementing essential reforms.

On the other hand, as he added, the ruling circles create the impression that Montenegro has done everything it can, which is not the case.

Civil state under attack

Asked about the situation in Montenegro after the first change of government, Milacic said that the quality of Montenegro, which stood out in the region as a civil state, has been damaged.

According to Milacic, the rise of ethnic nationalism in Europe, including the Western Balkans, undoubtedly contributed to this.

As he explained, he sees the blame primarily in Montenegrin political actors.

Asked if the appearance of historical revisionism in Montenegro can be seen in the same context, Milacic answered in the affirmative, reminding that personalities and events that are symbols of ethnic nationalism are being normalized in the country.

Strengthening of the radical right in West as a new dose of legitimacy for ethno-nationalism in the Balkans

Speaking about the global rise of the right-wing movement and the growth of nationalism and populism, Milacic recalled that the reasons are numerous and that they are usually divided into economic and identity-based, with immigration is a key factor.

“These parties challenge for liberal democracies because they question the current system of government – they are against liberal elements in democracy such as minority rights, media freedom and the division of powers, including an independent judiciary and a parliament that has a supervisory role”, explained Milacic.

Asked if the incompletely consolidated Balkan democracies are additionally vulnerable to such global trends, Milacic said that it is true that the Balkan democracies remain unconsolidated and that they are certainly more vulnerable to potential attacks.

“However, the ideology of the radical right, which is reflected in ethnic nationalism, is, unfortunately, nothing new in the Balkans”, said Milacic.

He believes that the strengthening of radical ideologies into mainstream party systems, even in established Western democracies, only further strengthens ethno-nationalist forces in the Balkans.

“It gives them a new dose of legitimacy and greater support in key Western centers”, said Milacic.