Montenegro election returns pro-EU leader who pledges to join bloc within five years

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Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic will remain the world’s second-youngest state leader, it was confirmed at the Balkan country’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, 11 June.

Milatovic, 36, deputy leader of the victorious Europe Now group, said during election weekend that “I am optimistic that, through direct dialogue and stronger promotion of Montenegro, we will achieve our goal – membership of the EU in the next five years.”

In April’s presidential election, Europe Now deputy leader, Jakov Milatovic, defeated incumbent Milo Djukanovic, who has been the dominant figure in Montenegrin politics since the early 19990s. Last year, Europe Now gained the capital city Podgorica. 

Europe Now, formed in June 20022 and led by former finance minister Milojko Spajic, obtained 26%. Spajic underlined the urgency of forming the new government to expedite reforms, stating that they would negotiate with “like-minded parties”, but not the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). 

The DPS, led by Djukanovic, which held power for three decades before being ousted in 2020, secured second place with 23%.

For the Future of Montenegro, a pro-Serbian bloc, secured third place with 15.1%. The centrist coalition of URA and Democratic Montenegro, led by outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic and former parliament speaker Aleksa Becic, obtained 13%. The Bosniak Party achieved 6.8%.

Turnout was at a record low of 56.4%, a notable decrease from the 73.4% in the 2020 parliamentary election and the 70.2% in the April presidential run-off, the pro-European Center for Democratic Transition said.

The election was characterized by the absence of ethnic tension, with only minor electoral irregularities reported, according to election observers.

Political analysts anticipate challenging and lengthy negotiations to establish a stable government, as has been the case since the fall of the DPS.  Having solidified its position, Europe Now will now need weeks of talks before not can form a government.

The election followed nearly three years of political turbulence and the collapse of two governments. The incoming government will face the challenge of managing high public debt and the pressure to implement long-awaited reforms necessary for Montenegro’s EU accession process.