Jakov Milatovic, Montenegro’s former Economy Minister, has emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election run-off on Sunday, defeating the long-standing incumbent

Milo Djukanovic. Milatovic made the announcement in front of a crowd of enthusiastic supporters at the party headquarters of his right-centrist Europe Now Movement in the capital city of Podgorica.

The newly elected president expressed his gratitude to his supporters for their unwavering dedication, saying, “Tonight is the night we have been waiting for over 30 years, and I wish you a happy victory that belongs to all of us.” Milatovic ran a robust campaign that focused on Montenegro’s integration into the European Union and economic development, which resonated with voters who are seeking a fresh perspective on the country’s future.

Milatovic’s victory marks the end of Djukanovic’s 30-year political career, who has been a dominant force in Montenegro’s political landscape since the country’s independence from Serbia in 2006. Djukanovic has served as both prime minister and president of Montenegro multiple times, and his Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has been in power for more than three decades.

Milatovic has promised to lead Montenegro towards European Union membership within the next five years. The Balkan state has been a candidate for EU membership since 2010, and Milatovic’s presidency is expected to accelerate the country's accession negotiations. Montenegro's path to EU membership has been marred by corruption allegations, political instability, and other challenges, which Milatovic has pledged to tackle.

Montenegro is a small country of around 600,000 people and has made significant progress in recent years towards its EU membership goal. It has implemented several economic and political reforms, such as reducing public debt and strengthening the rule of law. The country has also benefited from significant foreign investment in its tourism industry, which accounts for around 25% of its GDP.

Milatovic’s victory is seen as a turning point in Montenegro’s political landscape, which has been dominated by Djukanovic’s DPS for more than three decades. His victory represents a clear desire for change and reform in the country, with a focus on EU membership and economic growth.

The new president has his work cut out for him, as Montenegro still faces several challenges that need to be addressed. The country's economy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and unemployment remains high. There are also concerns about corruption, organized crime, and the rule of law, which have hindered Montenegro's progress towards EU membership.

Nevertheless, Milatovic’s victory has energized the country and raised hopes for a brighter future. He has promised to work tirelessly to improve the lives of Montenegrins and lead the country towards a better future. As he said in his victory speech, "We have a lot of work to do, but together, we will build a better Montenegro." Photo by Dulajle, Wikimedia commons.