Marianne: Have you been surprised by the victory of the pro-independent camp in Montenegro on 21 May referendum?

Nicolas Petrovitch Njegosh: By seeing all these Montenegrin flags hoisted in the towns of Podgorica and Cetinje, it really moved me. Independence leaves us from a blocked situation which was taking as hostage a whole generation. The strong participation attests dynamism of youth. I had never experienced such a jubilation. All the more because festivities brought together Muslims, Serbs, and native Montenegrins as from immigration.

Marianne: What is your opinion about the Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic?

N.P.N.: It is a politician. The campaign of the opposition was done on the motto “He’s finished!”. There is a weariness of the power — sixteen years! — and the social injustices are shouting, it’s true. But, in October, there will be true legislative elections. Djukanovic, who bound his fate to independence, will not be judged any more on this question. That will clarify the situation. Many voters of the Liberal Party voted for independence without being of his partisans. Others voted against, while being favorable to him.

Marianne: Which role do you plan to play in the future?

N.P.N.: I started a process by which becomes effective the historical rehabilitation of my Dynasty. My great-grandfather was expelled from Montenegro on a false charge of treason by a self-proclaimed Assembly. Today, his songs are sung, family blazons are borne, official monuments are set up in honor of King Nicolas, but no official declaration has been made to erase this illegal dismissal. I wish to revitalise the dynastic order to recover an official visibility, to replace my family in the historical scenery of Europe, and to have a spiritual, moral and material statute. Be reassured, I will not stand as candidate at the elections!