Support is growing for the initiative to dismiss Andrija Mandić, the president of the Montenegrin parliament, following his controversial expression of condolences for the death of Ratko Mladić. At least 38 members of parliament (MPs) have publicly declared their support for the initiative, which was launched by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). The number of votes required for Mandić’s dismissal will depend on the attendance of MPs at the session, as a majority of those present is needed, provided more than half of the total MPs are in attendance.

The initiative has gathered signatures from 35 MPs, including 16 from the DPS, six from the Bosniak Party, four from the Civic Movement URA, and three from the European Alliance. Additional support comes from independent MPs and representatives of minority parties, such as Mehmed Zenka from the Democratic Union of Albanians and Adrijan Vuksanović from the Croatian Civic Initiative. Independent MP Jevrosima Pejović has also confirmed her support, stating that “common sense dictates” her decision to vote for Mandić’s removal.

Despite this growing support, the outcome remains uncertain as the exact number of MPs who will attend the session is unknown. The ruling parties, including the Europe Now Movement (PES), Democrats, and the Socialist People’s Party (SNP), along with opposition parties like the Democratic People’s Party (DNP) and United Montenegro, have indicated they will not support the initiative. PES has emphasized that Mandić’s condolences reflect his personal and party stance, not the government’s, and reaffirmed their respect for international court rulings on Mladić’s conviction for genocide and war crimes.

Nikola Camaj from the Albanian Forum, although not signing the initiative, is expected to vote for Mandić’s dismissal. The Albanian Forum’s leadership clarified that their support for the initiative is not an endorsement of the DPS but a stance against glorifying war criminals and upholding European values. The session to discuss Mandić’s potential dismissal is scheduled for September 24, following a request by 29 opposition representatives for an extraordinary parliamentary session.

This political development comes in the context of ongoing tensions in Montenegro related to Ratko Mladić’s legacy. Mandić has previously survived two similar dismissal initiatives, both initiated by the DPS, in March 2024 and June 2025. The current situation underscores the persistent political divisions in Montenegro, particularly regarding historical narratives and the handling of war crimes legacies.

The public reaction to Mandić’s condolences has been mixed, reflecting broader societal divisions over Mladić’s contentious legacy. The initiative to remove Mandić highlights the complex interplay of personal, political, and historical factors influencing Montenegro’s political landscape. As the session approaches, the outcome will likely hinge on the attendance and voting decisions of key MPs, with potential implications for Montenegro’s political stability and alignment with European values.