Socialist People's Party of Montenegro
Encyclopedia
The Socialist People's Party of Montenegro (Montenegrin
/) is a socialist
opposition
political party
in Montenegro
. It has 16 MPs in the Parliament of Montenegro
, which it won on the 2009 parliamentary election
. Currently the largest opposition party, it is strictly pro-European Union
and aims at deposing the ruling DPS
-SDP
coalition as its main goal.
The party is a de facto party of Serbs of Montenegro
.
came out. On the Montenegrin presidential election, 1997
, aside then's President of the Republic and the Party Momir Bulatović
, the Premier of Montenegro and party's vice-president Milo Đukanović ran too, leading a reforming wing opposing mainstream DPS CG's political attitudes regarding support of Serbian president Slobodan Milošević
. The ruling parties of the Republic of Serbia
(the constitutive partner of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia like the Republic of Montenegro), SPS
and SRS
, have soundly and firmly stood on Momir's side, while the opposition in Serbia (SPO
, DS
, DSS
and GS
) gave their support in Milo. It is so that the Democratic Party of Socialists - Momir Bulatović had officially seceded from the other branch of the DPS CG, but Momir's supports had only retained majority in 5 municipalities of Montenegro, while the other 16 in which DPS reigned voiced their support of Milo.
Momir presented in the political campaign that his main goal was the preservation of FRY and the maintaining of the present political status in Montenegro. In the first round on 5 October 1997 Momir Bulatović won receiving most votes, 147,615 or 47.45%, but lost to opposing Milo the second round on 19 October 1997 when he won 169,257 or only 49.2%. Momir refused to recognize the results, calling them unrealistic and forged - considering that every single of the other candidates that ran in the first circle voiced their support in Momir in the second. One of the main controversial moments, as criticized by OEBS, is that Milo as Premier, managed to seize control of the Montenegrin national media (e.g. TV CG). On the other side, the Serbian national media had also been unbalanced, promoting Momir. The other unbalancing issue is that Milo, as Premier, was in a much stronger position to further his personal goals, controlling the government (the President had very little authority in effect) and had seized control over most of DPS' local authorities, while DPS - Momir Bulatović got only 5 of total DPS' 21. On the other hand, Momir enjoyed the support of Serbia and the Federal Yugoslav government itself. With the huge clashes between Momir and Milo, the election respected minimal democratic standards. However with eventual loss at the election, the rift between the two wings was final.
prevailed and he became SNP's president. The party continued to be a proponent of the union with Serbia, while the old-style pro-Milosevic faction of politicians formed the People's Socialist Party
(Народна социјалистичка странка, Narodna socijalistička stranka) under Momir Bulatović.
. SNP avoided to explicitly state its rejection of the Montenegrin independence referendum
results, but it refused to attend the country's inauguration ceremonies. Other pro-union opposition parties openly refused to recognize the results.
On the first parliamentary elections
in independent Montenengro, SNP saw the largest downfall of the number of its voters since the founding of the party. The coalition it had led in 2002 elections
fell from 30 to 11 seats in the Montenegrin parliament. SNP lost its status of leader of Montenegrin opposition in favour of Serbian List led by Serbian People's Party of Montenegro
(12 seats) and Movement for Changes
(11 seats). This resulted in resignation of party's leader Predrag Bulatović, as well as three vice-presidents.
and Borislav Globarević, representing the victory of the excessively pro-European Union
ist program. SNP CG has adopted a strongly civic Social Democrat
political course and broke off the traditional coalition with the People's Party
and the Democratic Serb Party.
In the negotiations for the new Montenegrin Constitution, SNP has forged a united political alliance of practically the entire Opposition with the Movement for Changes
, both of its old partners the People's Party
and Democratic Serb Party, the members of the Serb List
alliance, the Bosniak Party and the ethnic Albanian Democratic League in Montenegro and Albanian Alternative
with a united platform, preparing to boycott the referendum. However, NS, DSS, DSCG and SL retreated from negotiations with the opposition. On the other hand, PzP, BS and AA accepted independently from the alliance terms of the ruling coalition and are ready to give the required super-majority to adopted the constitution. SNP has submitted 33 amendments and still does not include the option to support the constitution as well, under the condition that it's amendments - previously included in the Opposition's demands - are adopted.
The reforms of Srđan Milić worked well for SNP, as on 2009 Montenegrin parliamentary election
it won 16 seats in Parliament of Montenegro
, becoming once again the biggest sole opposition party.
Montenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
/) is a socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
opposition
Opposition (politics)
In politics, the opposition comprises one or more political parties or other organized groups that are opposed to the government , party or group in political control of a city, region, state or country...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. It has 16 MPs in the Parliament of Montenegro
Parliament of Montenegro
The Parliament of Montenegro is the unicameral legislature of Montenegro. The Parliament currently has 81 members, each elected for a four-year term. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Ranko Krivokapić, while the deputy speakers are Željko Šturanović and Rifat Rastoder...
, which it won on the 2009 parliamentary election
Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2009
Pre-term parliamentary elections in Montenegro were scheduled by President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović on 27 January 2009 by the Decree of Scheduling Elections for the Assembly of Montenegro, in accordance with Article 92 point 5 of the Montenegrin Constitution:..and Article 95:As well as Article...
. Currently the largest opposition party, it is strictly pro-European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and aims at deposing the ruling DPS
Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro
The Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro is the ruling social-democratic political party in Montenegro....
-SDP
Social Democratic Party of Montenegro
The Social Democratic Party of Montenegro is a political party in Montenegro....
coalition as its main goal.
The party is a de facto party of Serbs of Montenegro
Serbs of Montenegro
Montenegrin Serbs is a regional, ethnographic group of ethnic Serbs. They compose the second largest ethnic group in Montenegro after the Montenegrins....
.
Origins
In the late 1990s a rift inside the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists of MontenegroDemocratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro
The Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro is the ruling social-democratic political party in Montenegro....
came out. On the Montenegrin presidential election, 1997
Montenegrin presidential election, 1997
Presidential elections were held in Montenegro in 1997.-I round:#Momir Bulatović: 147.610 - 47,44#Milo Đukanović: 145.348 - 46,71#Others: 13.534 - 4,35-II round:#Milo Đukanović: 174.745 - 50,79#Momir Bulatović: 169.257 - 49,20...
, aside then's President of the Republic and the Party Momir Bulatović
Momir Bulatovic
Momir Bulatović , formerly served as a Yugoslavian and Montenegrin politician. Bulatović became federal President of Montenegro while Montenegro was part of a Yugoslav federation, and also Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
, the Premier of Montenegro and party's vice-president Milo Đukanović ran too, leading a reforming wing opposing mainstream DPS CG's political attitudes regarding support of Serbian president Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević was President of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He served as the President of Socialist Republic of Serbia and Republic of Serbia from 1989 until 1997 in three terms and as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000...
. The ruling parties of the Republic of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
(the constitutive partner of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia like the Republic of Montenegro), SPS
Socialist Party of Serbia
The Socialist Party of Serbia is officially a democratic socialist political party in Serbia. It is also widely recognized as a de facto Serbian nationalist party, though the party itself does not officially acknowledge this...
and SRS
Serbian Radical Party
The Serbian Radical Party is a far-right Serbian nationalist political party in Serbia, founded in 1991. Currently the second-largest party in the Serbian National Assembly, it has branches in three of the nations that currently border Serbia – all former federal republics of Yugoslavia...
, have soundly and firmly stood on Momir's side, while the opposition in Serbia (SPO
Serbian Renewal Movement
The Serbian Renewal Movement is a political party in Serbia.It was founded in 1990.In 1997 a dissident group abandoned the party and formed New Serbia....
, DS
Democratic Party (Serbia)
The Democratic Party is a political party in Serbia. It is described as a social liberal or social democratic party.-Pre-war history:The Democratic Party was established on 16 February 1919 from unification of Sarajevo parties independent radicals, progressives, liberals and the Serbian part of...
, DSS
Democratic Party of Serbia
The Democratic Party of Serbia is a political party in Serbia.-Foundation:The Democratic Party of Serbia was founded when a faction of the Democratic Party that supported its involvement in the Democratic Movement of Serbia split from the party and formed their own in 1992.Soon after the March...
and GS
Civic Alliance of Serbia
Civic Alliance of Serbia was a social-liberal party in Serbia.Known widely by its three-letter acronym in Serbian, GSS was founded and registered in 1992...
) gave their support in Milo. It is so that the Democratic Party of Socialists - Momir Bulatović had officially seceded from the other branch of the DPS CG, but Momir's supports had only retained majority in 5 municipalities of Montenegro, while the other 16 in which DPS reigned voiced their support of Milo.
Momir presented in the political campaign that his main goal was the preservation of FRY and the maintaining of the present political status in Montenegro. In the first round on 5 October 1997 Momir Bulatović won receiving most votes, 147,615 or 47.45%, but lost to opposing Milo the second round on 19 October 1997 when he won 169,257 or only 49.2%. Momir refused to recognize the results, calling them unrealistic and forged - considering that every single of the other candidates that ran in the first circle voiced their support in Momir in the second. One of the main controversial moments, as criticized by OEBS, is that Milo as Premier, managed to seize control of the Montenegrin national media (e.g. TV CG). On the other side, the Serbian national media had also been unbalanced, promoting Momir. The other unbalancing issue is that Milo, as Premier, was in a much stronger position to further his personal goals, controlling the government (the President had very little authority in effect) and had seized control over most of DPS' local authorities, while DPS - Momir Bulatović got only 5 of total DPS' 21. On the other hand, Momir enjoyed the support of Serbia and the Federal Yugoslav government itself. With the huge clashes between Momir and Milo, the election respected minimal democratic standards. However with eventual loss at the election, the rift between the two wings was final.
First Period
By 2000, Milošević began to lose its ground in Serbia, ant it became apparent that he no longer had support neither in international community, nor in his own country. Yet, Momir Bulatović was still a close ally of Milošević. That fact led to a split within the SNP on whether to stay loyal to Milošević, or to become a party with more democratic image. In 2001 the pro-European and democratic wing led by Predrag BulatovićPredrag Bulatovic
Predrag Bulatović is a Montenegrin politician. He was the president of the Socialist People's Party of Montenegro and unofficial leader of the Bloc Together for Changes and the entire "half of the Montenegrin world in favor of Serbia"...
prevailed and he became SNP's president. The party continued to be a proponent of the union with Serbia, while the old-style pro-Milosevic faction of politicians formed the People's Socialist Party
People's Socialist Party of Montenegro
People Socialist Party of Montenegro was an opposition political party in Montenegro within the Serbian List due to its support of political union of Montenegro with Serbia, holding 1 seat in the Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro...
(Народна социјалистичка странка, Narodna socijalistička stranka) under Momir Bulatović.
Second Period
As some ethnic Serb parties took advantage of the SNP's new orientation and attracted some voters, SNP became to be the strongest opposition party in Montenegro. It was the leader of the Movement for European Union of Serbia and Montenegro, which eventually failed to preserve the union with SerbiaSerbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. SNP avoided to explicitly state its rejection of the Montenegrin independence referendum
Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006
The Montenegrin independence referendum was a referendum on the independence of the Republic of Montenegro from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro that was held on 21 May 2006.The total turnout of the referendum was 86.5%...
results, but it refused to attend the country's inauguration ceremonies. Other pro-union opposition parties openly refused to recognize the results.
On the first parliamentary elections
Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2006
The election for the Constitutional Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro in the newly independent Republic of Montenegro took place on September 10, 2006, with Prime Minister Milo Đukanović claiming absolute victory for his centre-left, pro-European Union party the next day...
in independent Montenengro, SNP saw the largest downfall of the number of its voters since the founding of the party. The coalition it had led in 2002 elections
Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2002
Montenegrin parliamentary elections were held in 2002. There were 455,791 eligible voters registered.* Patriotic Coalition for Yugoslavia** People's Socialist Party of Montenegro** Serbian Radical Party "Dr Vojislav Šešelj"...
fell from 30 to 11 seats in the Montenegrin parliament. SNP lost its status of leader of Montenegrin opposition in favour of Serbian List led by Serbian People's Party of Montenegro
Serbian People's Party of Montenegro
The Serb People's Party was a political party in Montenegro.The SNS was led by Andrija Mandić. At the last legislative elections in Montenegro, on September 10, 2006, The Serbian List led by the SNS won 12 out of 81 seats...
(12 seats) and Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes is a political party in Montenegro which has a proclaimed goal to integrate their country into the European Union and to support political and economic reforms to bring it into line with European norms...
(11 seats). This resulted in resignation of party's leader Predrag Bulatović, as well as three vice-presidents.
Third Period
On the 27th of December 2006, Srđan Milić was announced new party president, after gaining the majority of General Party Congress votes, and beating the other two candidates, Dragiša PešićDragiša Pešic
Dragiša Pešić is a politician from Montenegro who was the last Prime Minister of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia before it was officially transformed into the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in February 2003.He studied economic sciences at University of Sarajevo's...
and Borislav Globarević, representing the victory of the excessively pro-European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
ist program. SNP CG has adopted a strongly civic Social Democrat
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
political course and broke off the traditional coalition with the People's Party
People's Party (Montenegro)
The People's Party is an opposition populist political party in Montenegro. It is the main conservative party in Montenegro, as opposed to ruling party and its main opposition, both of which are socialist orientated.At the last legislative elections in Montenegro, in March 2009, NS formed a...
and the Democratic Serb Party.
In the negotiations for the new Montenegrin Constitution, SNP has forged a united political alliance of practically the entire Opposition with the Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes is a political party in Montenegro which has a proclaimed goal to integrate their country into the European Union and to support political and economic reforms to bring it into line with European norms...
, both of its old partners the People's Party
People's Party (Montenegro)
The People's Party is an opposition populist political party in Montenegro. It is the main conservative party in Montenegro, as opposed to ruling party and its main opposition, both of which are socialist orientated.At the last legislative elections in Montenegro, in March 2009, NS formed a...
and Democratic Serb Party, the members of the Serb List
Serb List
Serb List was a political alliance in Montenegro. In contrast to other political coalitions, the Serb List was not simply a coalition of parties, but an entity on its own; for instance, the MPs elected on its list are not considered to represent the party they originally come from, but the Serb List...
alliance, the Bosniak Party and the ethnic Albanian Democratic League in Montenegro and Albanian Alternative
Albanian Alternative
The Albanian Alternative is a political party in Montenegro.AA is led by Gjergj Camaj. At the last legislative elections in Montenegro, in March 2009, AA won 1 out of 81 seats....
with a united platform, preparing to boycott the referendum. However, NS, DSS, DSCG and SL retreated from negotiations with the opposition. On the other hand, PzP, BS and AA accepted independently from the alliance terms of the ruling coalition and are ready to give the required super-majority to adopted the constitution. SNP has submitted 33 amendments and still does not include the option to support the constitution as well, under the condition that it's amendments - previously included in the Opposition's demands - are adopted.
The reforms of Srđan Milić worked well for SNP, as on 2009 Montenegrin parliamentary election
Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2009
Pre-term parliamentary elections in Montenegro were scheduled by President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović on 27 January 2009 by the Decree of Scheduling Elections for the Assembly of Montenegro, in accordance with Article 92 point 5 of the Montenegrin Constitution:..and Article 95:As well as Article...
it won 16 seats in Parliament of Montenegro
Parliament of Montenegro
The Parliament of Montenegro is the unicameral legislature of Montenegro. The Parliament currently has 81 members, each elected for a four-year term. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Ranko Krivokapić, while the deputy speakers are Željko Šturanović and Rifat Rastoder...
, becoming once again the biggest sole opposition party.