Montenegrin Politician Warns Serbian Language Status at Risk in EU Accession

Montenegrin politician Milan Knežević claimed that if Montenegro joins the European Union, Serbian will never again be an official language in the country. He alleged that EU bureaucrats, specifically naming Johan Satler, are pursuing an anti-Serbian policy that would downgrade Serbian from its current status. Knežević argued this would be a catastrophe for the linguistic majority, preventing them from declaring their language, identity, and religion on official forms. He suggested that instead, citizens would be asked about gender identity. The statement reflects ongoing ethnic and linguistic tensions in Montenegro, where Serbian and Montenegrin are closely related but politically charged. Knežević is a leader of the pro-Serbian Democratic Front party. The remarks were made during a political rally or media appearance, though the exact date and location are not specified.

Global Impact

Politically, the statement underscores the fragility of Montenegro's EU integration path, which could stall if language disputes escalate. Socially, it inflames ethnic tensions between Serb and Montenegrin identities, potentially leading to protests or political crises.