The response from Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović regarding the “neo-Chetnik, deceptive, and intolerant rhetoric of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) metropolitans” exemplifies what the Civic Initiative “21 May” describes as “softness and revolting opportunism.”

“As Joanikije and Methodije propagate national and religious animosity, distort the truth about anti-fascism, and tarnish the legacy of communists and partisans, the founders of the defunct PES issue bland statements. Neither has the courage to mention the church that continually disseminates hatred and is the most malign religious entity in Southeast Europe, while simultaneously ignoring the names of the chauvinistic bishops who incite tensions in Montenegro. Each time hierarchs and priests from the dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church engage in hate speech, we witness a glaring silence from prosecutorial authorities or vague remarks from ‘Montenegrin officials.’ However, the outgoing prime minister, the interim president, and the Chetnik loyalist serving as the speaker of parliament will soon learn that after ’42 comes ’43,'” the statement asserts.

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