Djukanovic’s Ousting Shows ‘Language of Division’ No Longer Works in Montenegro

In the second round of the election, preliminary results put Milatovic far ahead on 60 per cent of the counted votes while Djukanovic won 40 per cent.

Milatovic had the support of the ruling majority parties, while Djukanovic was supported by the smaller opposition Bosniak Party and two ethnic Albanian parties.

Civic activist Stefan Djukic said Milatovic's victory showed that Montenegrins want new faces at the top after almost three decades of rule by Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS.

"The old authorities no longer attract the masses as they once did. Anyone who still wants to compete in the political spectrum needs to change if they want to survive," Djukic told BIRN.
"The language of division and insisting on national differences no longer produces a political effect," he added.

Formed only last September, the Europe Now movement soon emerged as a political rising star, focusing on the economy and reforms.

The movement was founded by Milatovic and Milojko Spajic, both former ministers of the so-called expert government formed after the August 2020 parliamentary elections which ousted the DPS.

In October, the new movement won the mayoral races in the capital, Podgorica, and in the town of Danilovgrad.

DPS continues downward Trend A supporter of Jakov Milatovic celebrates after the early results of the second round of the presidential elections in Podgorica, Montenegro.Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

Belgrade University professor Milos Besic said on Sunday that after Djukanovic's defeat, governments in Montenegro will be changed more easily in the future.

"The citizens have sent a clear message that they want changes and a new political elite which takes care of...