Miroslav Lazanski writes about fake public surveys aimed to justify the Montenegrogovernment’s forucs on joining NATO
Originally appeared at IN4S, translated by Milan exclusively for SouthFront
Whenever I hear the name of the agency for public opinion research “Ipsos Strategic Marketing” I get the chills. Specially because of the English word “Strategic” because of the military overtone it carries. I am trying to figure out who falsifies state of public opinion in Montenegro about joining the NATO?
The Podgorica “Pobjeda” has published “Ipsos” public where alleged results show if referendum on membership in NATO would be held, with a turnout of 70 percent of the population, 52 percent of voters would be for joining NATO, while 46 percent would be against. It turns out that only two percent of the citizens of Montenegro would be unsure, so “Win” and “Ipsos” leave this shows the incredibly large percentage of The voters were clear what the country’s path should be.
I have never had a chance to see Public survey with such a small number of undecided citizens, and it turns out that all Montenegro citizens have strong opinion. And only two percent of those without attitude?! This unbiased sentiment was not present in Montenegro even after 1945. At least then, according to communist leaders they all had a “unified” position on political decisions. But now those undecided and simply deleted or shrieked to 2%. Guys, this is not the way how you do things…
Another discovery “Ipsos”, at least cording to “Pobjeda”, is that support for Montenegro’s entry into NATO in June of this year increased by 5%, and compared to February 2015 ten percent. I am simply amazed. Knowing how joining process went in some other candidate countries, I can claim that such a sharp rise in public support for the alliance in such a short time was unheard off in any candidate countries. What is recorded and measured “Ipsos” and announced “Pobjeda” is a worldwide phenomenon. And if this trend continues in the coming months, “Ipsos” will be able to report that 125% of the citizens of Montenegro are for joining tge NATO. Some world advertising agencies know very well that nobody ever raises as fast as well as fast as they can fall.
Support is of course present, but…. We should also remember 2012 presidental elections in Serbia, when “Ipsos” reported that Tadić is 20% ahead of Tomislav Nikolić and they were very wrong about it. And after the election? Nothing happens. You pay to get result you want…
The NATO campaign under the common title “Secure the Future” in Montenegro involves many public figures, actors, journalists and athletes, they all take part in numerous TV commercials in favor of joining NATO.
Everything is there, I think the only one missing to give support to NATO is a grandmother Miljana from Durmitor. In one TV Ad, actor Mima Karadzic advocated NATO membership, saying: “In order to rest as a man, you have to work hard as 3”. Based on these messages I am not even sure whether Mima against NATO, or NATO. Was he inserted as Russian agent, but the authorities in Podgorica did not figured it out yet after watching the ad? Or add with sounds of sheep and donkeys echo the promise of a safe future?
Miroslav Lazanski