Vuković Denounces Political Manipulation Over Language Debate

Jovana Vuković, a member of the Main Board of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has publicly condemned recent statements by Dragan Bojović of the Democratic People’s Party (DNP), which she describes as political manipulation regarding the Montenegrin language. Vuković’s remarks came in response to Bojović’s claim that the designation of the subject in schools as Montenegrin/Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian Language and Literature represents a significant form of discrimination and an attempt at “violent assimilation.”

In a statement released to the media, Vuković emphasized that teaching children the official language of the country they reside in is not an act of violence but rather a fundamental requirement of any sovereign and democratic state. She asserted that portraying the Montenegrin language as a threat constitutes a direct attack on Montenegro’s constitutional order and statehood, disguised as a concern for children.

Vuković accused Bojović of waging an ideological war against the state, employing familiar tactics to undermine Montenegro’s integrity. “These narratives serve as a smokescreen for the environmental disaster in Pljevlja and are part of a broader effort to obstruct Montenegro’s path toward European integration,” she stated.

The political discourse surrounding language is not merely academic, according to Vuković. She argued that Bojović’s manipulative rhetoric will not obscure the truth nor impede citizens from demanding accountability and tangible solutions to pressing issues in the country. “As for the language, the Montenegrin language is not a matter for discussion; it is a constitutional reality that cannot be erased,” Vuković concluded.

This exchange reflects the ongoing tensions in Montenegro regarding national identity and language, with significant implications for the country’s political landscape and aspirations for European Union membership.