“Today is the night we’ve been waiting for for over 30 years,” Milatovic said, welcoming the fans. “In the next five years, we will bring Montenegro into the European Union,” he added. The 37-year-old former economy minister pledged to fight corruption, improve living standards and strengthen ties with the EU and Serbia. Not much is known about Montenegro’s new president, who is constitutionally charged with ceremonial duties but approves the composition of the cabinet of ministers. He has spent most of his life studying at several prestigious Western universities, including Oxford, and recently returned to his native country. Milatovic became Minister of Economic Development after the 2020 parliamentary elections, which resulted in the first non-DPS-led government. He co-sponsored a controversial economic program that doubled the minimum wage, among other things.Djukanovic’s loss of the presidency follows a year of political instability in Montenegro. The two governments that came to power following the 2020 protests, backed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church, were removed from office after passing votes of no confidence in parliament. Last year was also marked by a protracted dispute between lawmakers and Djukanovic over his refusal to appoint a new prime minister. Analysts predict that Djukanovic’s defeat will affect the balance of power in Montenegro ahead of the snap parliamentary elections in June.
