PODGORICA, Montenegro — Voters in Montenegro are casting ballots Sunday in a presidential election marked by political turmoil and uncertainty over whether the small NATO member state in the Balkans will unblock its bid to join the European Union or instead seek to improve ties with Serbia and Russia.
Analysts predict that the first round of Montenegro’s presidential election will not produce a clear winner and that incumbent Milo Djukanovic, 61, will face one of several challengers in a runoff vote in two weeks. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Montenegro, the ballot is seen as a key indicator of popular sentiment ahead of a parliamentary election set for June 11.
“I don’t plan to lose this election and it can be expected that I lead my party at the parliamentary vote,” Djukanovic said after casting his ballot. “I believe there will be a runoff … and that we will have a fair duel. I am convinced of my superiority.”
Djukanovic’s opponents include a leader of the staunchly pro-Serbia and pro-Russia Popular Front party, Andrija Mandic, economist Jakov Milatovic of the newly formed Europe Now group and former parliament speaker Aleksa Becic.
Observers say Milatovic, who served in the government elected after the 2020 parliamentary vote but later split from the ruling coalition, may stand the best chance of making it into the runoff against Djukanovic.
Milatovic said after he case his ballot that Djukanovic symbolizes “divisive policies of the past,” and that the vote is crucial for a future Montenegro that will be “richer, more just, more beautiful and more equal.”
Mandic said Djukanovic’s removal from the presidency is the last step toward a full change of power.
Djukanovic and his Democratic Party of Socialists led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006, and defied Russia to join NATO in 2017. An alliance dominated by parties seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia ousted DPS from power in 2020.
The new ruling alliance, however, soon plunged into disarray, which stalled Montenegro’s path toward the EU and created a political deadlock. The latest government fell in a no-confidence vote in August but has remained in office for months because of the stalemate.
Djukanovic — who has served multiple times as both president and prime minister in the past 30 years — has seen his popularity plummet. He now hopes to regain trust among Montenegro’s approximately 540,000 eligible voters and help pave the way for his party’s…
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