Analysts estimate that the population census in Montenegro took place during a tough political campaign and with mistrust from a part of the public, which caused deep divisions in Montenegrin society. However, the publication of the final results of the population census in Montenegro showed that no ethnic group has an absolute majority and that the propaganda of the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian forces did not achieve their goal. However, issues of ethnic groups and language are the main political disputes in Montenegro, where according to analysts, they are being misused for political purposes.
The publication of the final results of the population census in Montenegro showed that no ethnic group has an absolute majority. Analysts estimate that the census took place amid a strong political campaign and distrust from a part of the public.
Muzafer Beli Çaushi thinks that the result of the census does not present any surprises.
"After almost a year, the results of the census were finally published, which do not present any surprises even though during this process a fierce political campaign took place, causing mistrust in the public," analyst Beli Çaushi told Voice of America.
Ismet Kallaba, an analyst and expert on developments in Montenegro, points out that the results of the population census do not change anything in Montenegro.
"I see it as a numbers game and it does not change anything regarding the existing situation in Montenegro. Looking at the reactions of the political parties, it can be seen that each one tries to comment on these results in their own favor", said Mr. Kallaba for the Voice of America.
Analyst Beli Çaushi said that the population census does not differ much from the previous census, taking into account that citizens who are not citizens of Montenegro were also registered.
"The population registration did not change from the previous registration, taking into account that citizens who are not citizens of Montenegro were also registered and their number reaches almost 80 thousand inhabitants. However, this registration showed that the process that was supposed to be statistical turned into a political campaign by pro-Serbian and pro-Russian forces in Montenegro", said Mr. Beli Çaushi.
Analyst Kallaba also estimates that the political crisis prevailing in Montenegro has affected the results of the population census.
"The census process took place in a political crisis and of course this has also affected the results of the population census in Montenegro. As for the Albanians, I think that the small increase from 4.91 percent to 4.97 percent is an insensitive increase that does not reflect the increase in the number of the population", said Mr. Kallaba.
Although the census is a statistical question and a guide for the executive power in which way certain policies should be implemented, especially demographic and economic ones, the issues of ethnic groups and language are the main political disputes in Montenegro, where according to analysts, they are being misused for political purposes./VOA