Key Takeaways From Montenegro's Presidential Elections
Second Round Runoff Signals Strong Potential For Historic Change

March 22, 2023
Presidential elections held on Montenegro on Sunday 19th March threaten to unseat the small Balkan nation’s long-time leader, Milo Djukanović. Though Djukanović indisputably received the highest share of votes, the contest will go to a second-round runoff, which is being built-up as a referendum on his three decades-long rule.

The election result provided few surprises; all pre-election polling suggested the incumbent President would receive the most votes, but not pass the 50% mark required to secure another 5-year term as Head of State. The main unknown heading into the election was over who would join Djukanović in the second round, with 37-year-old former economy minister Jakov Milatović now emerging as a credible challenger.

The second round will be held on 2 April and judging by pre-election commitments made by almost all presidential contenders (with the exception of Montenegrin nationalist candidate Draginja Vuksanović-Stanković), Milatović will receive widespread support from across the political spectrum in what is likely to be an historic runoff which could mark the departure of Europe’s longest-serving ruler.

Below, Aretera provides further insight into the first round of the presidential elections, with implications for the runoff vote.
If you would like to schedule a discussion of this paper, please contact:
Philip Merrell, Regional Director for Serbia & Western Balkans at p.merrell@areterapa.com