End of the Djukanovic era: Milatovic becomes the new president of Montenegro

He is considered a reformer and is only 36 years old: Jakov Milatovic from the “Europe Now” movement has been elected the new president of Montenegro. This ends the era of Milo Djukanovic after more than 30 years.

It is the end of an era in the small Adriatic state of Montenegro: after more than 30 years in power – most recently as President – Milo Djukanovic has been voted out. According to the latest projections, the clear winner of the runoff election for the presidency is 36-year-old Jakov Milatovic, candidate of the young “Europe Now” movement.

Milatovic benefited from the increasing change mood among the 540,000 eligible voters. After the first ballot he was clearly behind, but in the run-off he was supported not only by his own pro-European supporters, but also by those of the pro-Serbian parties and the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is controlled from Belgrade.

Milatovic studied economics in the US and Europe, he worked at Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and at the European Bank for Reconstruction in London. He is considered a reformer, was briefly Minister of Economic Affairs in Montenegro, and won the mayoral election in the capital Podgorica, which was long considered a Djukanovic stronghold.

Milatovic wants to speed up EU accession talks

The change from long-term ruler Djukanovic to the previously unknown young politician Milatovic should also have an impact on the parliamentary elections in June. Because the political camps are deadlocked, there is currently only one caretaker government for Montenegro. Milatovic and his “Europe Now” movement want to change that. And with her policy, she is also accelerating talks with the EU about accession, which have been dragging on for 11 years.