Issue and Opponent: President Milo Djukanovic and his government had ruled Montenegro for 30 years. Claims of inter-governmental corruption and rigging of elections were finally put on display to the public through the so-called “Envelope Affair.” This event is tied to the video clip of a businessman, who was close to the Montenegrin government, giving nearly 97,000 euros to Slavoljub Stijepovic. Stijepovic was the former mayor of Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, and the senior official of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, of which Djukanovic was the head at the time. The illegal funds were intended to go toward the election campaign. The video clip finally offered visible evidence of corruption that had been suspected for years.
Dilemma Action: The video clip of criminal affairs encouraged Montenegrins to take action regarding the “Envelope Affair.” Several protests were organized by the “Odupri se – 97000,” or “Resist – 97000” movement. On one occasion, protesters left 97 envelopes in front of the building of the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office. On one side of the envelopes, protesters wrote “1,000 euros” to call attention to the “envelope affair.” On the other side, the protester wrote about other long-standing unsolved affairs that the Persecution should also solve. The demands of the movement called for the resignation of President Djukanovic, PM Duski Markovic, Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic, and the director of the corruption prevention agency. The movement accused these senior law officials of ignoring evidence and not persecuting corruption in the ranks of Djukanovic’s inner circle.
Outcomes: President Milo Djukanovic tried to spin the affair by claiming that this event was due to Russian influence. Djukanovic also denied the allegations and claimed the party reported all campaign funds. State broadcasters claimed that the movement was a stunt organized by the opposition. Months later, in October of the same year, Djukanovic resigned as President, leaving Dusko Markovic, as the next prime minister. However, Djukanovic resignation was considered to change very little, as the party leader would continue to wield significant power behind the scenes.