Sead Shahman, the President of the Bosniak Democratic Movement (BDP) in Montenegro, expressed his commitment to providing the citizens of Petnjica with a comprehensive plan and program ahead of the upcoming local elections. He aims to select individuals capable of addressing future challenges.

“I believe there exists a group of citizens in Petnjica who aspire to give their city a refreshed and more optimistic perspective on the future,” Shahman stated in an interview with “Vijesti”.

He reiterated that the Bosniak community values freedom and the principles and ideals that were compromised with the inclusion of the Bosniak Party in the recently reconstructed 44th Government of Montenegro last July.

“Bosniaks do not wish to serve the interests of others; they desire partnerships and alliances based on equality, respecting their unique heritage as a people.”

Shahman mentioned that the BDP’s agenda includes advocating for changes to the legal framework that would enable greater participation of the diaspora in Montenegro’s political life, specifically changes to laws that would ensure the election of deputies to the Parliament who are directly chosen by the diaspora.

Since the BDP was founded in August last year, what key achievements have you made so far?

The BDP emerged from the necessity to represent the interests of the Bosniak people in Montenegro more effectively, with a focus on preserving and enhancing the country’s democratic progress. As an indigenous population in this area, Bosniaks are indifferent to who governs Montenegro, focusing instead on the advancements of their community.

I would like to remind everyone that we expressed our intention to establish a new political project on July 31st of last year. We approached this task seriously and methodically, which included both an essential dimension and a formal, legal aspect to meet the requirements of the Political Parties Law.

We received official registration for the BDP from the relevant ministry in September of last year. Since then, we have undertaken significant efforts to promote our goals and validate the programs and personnel we offer. We have conducted numerous meetings with students and young people, engaged with diaspora representatives, and consistently reached out to all areas in Montenegro where our compatriots reside to discuss ways to enhance citizens’ quality of life. Currently, we are focused on strengthening our organizational capacity and are working diligently to establish our presence across all municipalities and cities with Bosniak populations. The early signs are encouraging, as our public engagements and advocacy have motivated people to aspire for positive change. We highlight societal shortcomings, especially those affecting the Bosniak-Muslim community, while also proposing specific actions for improvement. We aim to mobilize young, educated individuals who graduated from reputable institutions and wish to engage in the political arena. The inclusion of women in our political initiatives is equally important, along with the wisdom and experience of individuals ready to contribute to the sustainability of our vision.

We have clearly articulated our community’s aspirations and will center our efforts on meeting these needs. The BDP serves as the people’s response to fragmented individual interests presented as the collective interests of our community.

Are there plans for the BDP to participate in local elections this year, such as in Petnjica?

I am optimistic about the progress we are making in strengthening our organizational structure. Although this process will take time, we are prepared for future challenges. The growing number of individuals joining the BDP reaffirms our belief that our political platform can and should outshine the competition. The people involved are our most vital resource. Petnjica holds significant value for us, and we are committed to offering its residents a well-thought-out plan and program along with capable individuals who can tackle forthcoming challenges. I am hopeful that segments of the population in Petnjica are eager to view their city with renewed enthusiasm for the future. This region deserves much more; it boasts an excellent geographical location, a rich historical legacy with notable figures, and a strong resource base among the diaspora, but it now requires economic revitalization to retain its residents.

You recently mentioned that enhancing collaboration with the diaspora is a priority for the BDP. What specific plans do you have for improving this cooperation and involving the diaspora in political and economic processes back home?

We take pride in our collaborations with various associations and accomplished individuals globally, and in 2025, we intend to bolster these connections with the diaspora. Their input was crucial in forming the BDP, as they often possess more pragmatic insights into developments in Montenegro. We appreciate being regarded as a voice of reason and a central figure in articulating shared interests concerning projects beneficial to all. We are determined not to disappoint their expectations and to serve as reliable partners and conversationalists on matters of mutual concern. Recently, we hosted a working session in Rožaje entitled “Diaspora Activism as a Means of Strengthening Montenegro’s Position,” which included participation from both diaspora members and BDP representatives. Those unable to attend sent supportive messages from the USA, Western Europe, our regional neighbors, and even Turkey. This outpouring of support was motivating for us as we embarked on our journey as a newly established political entity.

We envision numerous methods to enhance our relationship with the diaspora, especially in economic and political spheres.

For instance, we plan to introduce investment incentives and tax breaks to encourage diaspora members to invest in Montenegro, particularly in less developed municipalities. Additionally, we aim to support young diaspora entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses here through specialized mentoring programs and access to funding. Furthermore, engaging successful diaspora firms in infrastructure projects can bring a wealth of experience in construction and project management to our developments.

The BDP believes that it’s essential to create conditions that revise the legal framework to grant the diaspora a more significant role in Montenegro’s political life, including modifications to laws that would ensure the election of deputies in Parliament chosen directly by diaspora votes. This practice is not unusual; our neighbor Croatia employs a similar model. The specifics of implementing this will depend on negotiations among political stakeholders during electoral reforms.

How does the BDP perceive the position of the Bosniak community within the country’s political and social landscape?

The Bosniak Democratic Movement (BDP) was established with the purpose of being an emancipatory political organization for the Bosniak people in Montenegro, as well as for all who identify similarly and share our cultural and linguistic attributes. We are confident that this vision resonates with the public, emerging from extensive dialogues among many individuals and responding to the current circumstances which we seek to improve.

The primary interests of the Bosniak community are entirely aligned with the survival and stability of Montenegro as a civil, multiethnic, and multireligious state, integrated into the EU and NATO, where Bosniaks enjoy equal respect and partnership, rather than serving as subordinates to external interests.

It is concerning that Montenegro exhibits significant regional disparities, with the northern part being the most underdeveloped. The population in this region has declined by approximately 15 percent, reflecting a trend of migration toward central and southern Montenegro, and predominantly toward Western Europe. This situation is particularly pronounced in less developed municipalities where the Bosniak population resides.

Diversifying Montenegro’s economy is imperative. Relying solely on tourism in the southern parts of the country is insufficient as an economic driver. Sustained investment cycles focused on sustainable development projects in less developed municipalities, which primarily house our compatriots, must be prioritized.

The IT sector in Montenegro has seen considerable growth in the past decade, now accounting for 11 percent of the country’s GDP, with average salaries 62.5 percent above the national average. The sector also contributes 25 percent toward total exports, marking significant progress compared to previous years. Its quick return on investment and efficiency, even with minimal initial outlay, label it as one of Montenegro’s most promising industries with tremendous potential for further growth and job creation.

To maintain this growth trajectory, we will propose a variety of educational initiatives, such as implementing robotics courses in schools and supporting youth aspiring to establish IT businesses.

Our long-term vision includes the development of a regional IT and business center in northern Montenegro, designed to provide educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents. These initiatives aim to cultivate a sustainable and competitive ICT sector, which can generate new employment opportunities and, crucially, retain young families in their communities.

What priorities do you have for improving the rights and positions of Bosniaks within the country?

Bosniaks are a community in Montenegro; they belong here and always advocate for equality in rights and freedoms. This is our ancestral land and the homeland for our children, who expect and deserve conditions that adhere to European standards.

We recognize that our role should extend beyond mere observation and consumption; it should be both driving and creative. Hence, we aim to position the BDP in this manner. As responsible and educated members of the younger generation, we refuse to accept a more relaxed and opportunistic political approach.

The Bosniak community cherishes freedom, principles, and ideals that were undermined following the entry of the Bosniak People’s Party into the cumbersome and heterogeneous reconstructed 44th Government of Montenegro last July. Bosniaks wish not to serve other interests but to foster partnerships and alliances built on equality while respecting their unique characteristics.

The acronym for the Bosniak Democratic Movement is BDP, which also symbolizes gross domestic product. While this is a metaphor, the significance of having a strong national identity combined with a robust economic identity cannot be overlooked. This duality serves as the best strategy for combating the rising “brain drain” and the stark depopulation challenges we face.

Every idea is valuable only insofar as the people who embody it. Our accomplished and dedicated team represents a true collective effort. We are committed to investing our energy, knowledge, skills, and time into a promising initiative aimed at fostering the common good and improving conditions for our people. Our goal is to generate innovative political ideas and turn them into actionable policies that garner societal acceptance. The diverse composition of individuals joining the BDP daily bodes well for this mission.

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