Montenegro’s ruling Europe Now Movement (PES) said on Saturday it does not control a Facebook page that published offensive content targeting prominent anti-corruption campaigner Vanja Ćalović Marković, following a wave of public backlash and condemnation from civic activists and the country’s prime minister.
The party issued a statement distancing itself from the “Narodna sloga” Facebook page, where the post in question appeared. PES said the page is likely operated by its sympathizers, over whom the party has no oversight or influence.
“We have been informed that inappropriate and degrading content targeting the executive director of MANS, Vanja Ćalović Marković, has been circulated on the ‘Narodna sloga’ Facebook page,” PES said. “We categorically state that PES does not manage or control this page, and we strongly condemn the content that was published.”
Ćalović Marković, who leads the Network for Affirmation of the NGO Sector (MANS), has long been a vocal critic of political corruption in Montenegro. The Facebook post appeared to reference a smear campaign from 2014 by pro-government tabloid Informer, which attempted to discredit her during her criticism of the former ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
Civil society groups and human rights activists swiftly condemned the renewed attack, calling it a continuation of efforts to silence watchdog voices. MANS responded on social media platform X, writing, “When you run out of arguments, you resort to DPS-style setups. Congratulations on your consistency.”
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić also responded, calling the post “truly appalling” and urging for a civil exchange of ideas. “Let’s debate ideas—let the best one win. Not this filth,” he wrote on X.
MANS replied directly to the prime minister: “This is your party’s bot, Prime Minister. You avoided the debate, and when we forced you to have it, this was the response. Thank you.”
PES reiterated its commitment to democratic values and urged supporters to refrain from personal attacks.
“Ms. Ćalović Marković has defended the public interest for years, and we recognize her contribution. Despite disagreements over recent decisions by the government and PES, such attacks are unacceptable and detrimental to democratic discourse,” the party said.
Europe Now called on its followers to express their views “in a way that reflects democratic values,” adding that no party official had any involvement in the post.
