Milo Djukanovic, long the face of the Socialist Democratic Party (PSDM), which has steered Montenegro for almost three decades, is stepping back from the center of national politics. The second round of the country’s historic presidential election delivered a decisive shift, as Djukanovic conceded defeat and a new leader, the 36-year-old economist Jakov Milatovic, rose to prominence. Milatovic, who previously served as Montenegro’s Minister of Economy from 2020 to 2022, represents a fresh pivot toward centrist governance.
Milatovic’s win was welcomed by supporters who argued that Montenegro has chosen a new path. He acknowledged the results after poll data from several agencies were compiled, noting that turnout reached roughly 70 percent of eligible voters, about 542,000 people, and expressing gratitude for the mandate bestowed on him. Milatovic proclaimed that the victory marks a turning point that will help curb crime and corruption, and he asserted that political opponents would not be able to divide or impoverish Montenegro again.
Djukanovic’s departure closes a long chapter in Montenegro’s political life. The veteran leader guided the country to independence in 2006 and steered Montenegro toward European Union integration while also helping the nation join NATO in 2017 amid tensions with Moscow. His tenure was not without controversy, including allegations in Italian courts about involvement in illicit tobacco smuggling networks and, more recently, attempts to justify his use of offshore tax arrangements in interviews with regional broadcasters.
jump into the void
The election outcome represents a heavy blow for the PSDM and its traditional base. Observers noted that citizens clearly signaled a desire for change and a new political elite. Analysts from Balkan Insight observed that the loss will force PSDM to undertake significant reforms if it intends to remain relevant in Montenegro’s political landscape. Observers like Milos Besic stressed that the party must respond to voters’ expectations or risk fade in national affairs.
The round of voting followed a broader pattern in which several parties that had been sidelined in the first round backed Milatovic, reinforcing the shift from the old guard to renewal. The PSDM had also faced a difficult year, having already ceded control in municipal elections the previous October, including the capital Podgorica, with ten of fourteen municipalities changing hands. This consolidation of support for Milatovic underscored a broader public appetite for change across the country.
Milatovic’s ascent is notable not only for the age gap but also for his academic pedigree and transcontinental education—an economist trained at Oxford who has built a political vehicle, Europe Now, in the months leading up to the vote. His campaign emphasized promises to strengthen the economy, combat corruption, and improve everyday life for citizens—messages that resonated across urban and rural communities alike and raised public expectations for rapid progress after years of economic and political strain.
Geopolitically, the election did not immediately reconfigure Montenegro’s alignment with Western institutions. The country’s relationship with Moscow remains tense due to past sanctions and diplomatic expulsions, and its NATO membership continues to anchor Montenegro within Western security structures. The new administration’s stance toward regional stability and EU enlargement will be watched closely, particularly by neighbors and partners who rely on Montenegro as a steady ally in Southeast Europe.