Serbian journalist and editor-in-chief of the newspaper Danas, Dragoljub Drazha Petrović, has accused Serbia’s authorities of fostering hostility toward Montenegrins, warning that political rhetoric reminiscent of the 1990s is re-emerging in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Television E, Petrović said that recent controversies surrounding Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to a summit in Tivat have contributed to portraying Montenegrins as new political enemies within Serbian public discourse.
“The entire situation surrounding Vučić’s arrival at the summit in Tivat and the advance group of 87 people has continued with the portrayal of Montenegrins as enemies,” Petrović said.
He drew parallels with the nationalist rhetoric of the 1990s, referencing Vučić’s political activities during that period.
“It reminds one of the 1990s, when Vučić, as a Radical Party member, called for the expulsion of Croats from Zemun. Now his ‘guard dogs’ want to expel Montenegrins from Belgrade,” Petrović stated.
The journalist also argued that Vučić is delaying the announcement of parliamentary elections for strategic political reasons, claiming that the Serbian president is seeking to maintain control for as long as possible.
According to Petrović, elections will only be called when Vučić believes the conditions are most favorable for his ruling party.
“Vučić will announce elections only when he assesses that he can control them in the most effective way,” he said.
Petrović further claimed that public sentiment in Serbia’s largest cities—including Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, and Kragujevac—has shifted in a way that could make it difficult for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party to secure victory.
The comments come amid growing political tensions in Serbia, where opposition groups and critics of the government have increasingly accused authorities of using nationalist narratives and divisive rhetoric to mobilize support and distract from domestic political challenges.
Neither President Vučić nor representatives of the Serbian government immediately responded to Petrović’s remarks.
