Montenegro Sunday is holding a vital run-off presidential election during which Milo Djukanovic, the incumbent chief of virtually three a long time, is going through a formidable problem from a Western-educated economist who has vowed to convey a few much-needed change of course after a 12 months of political stalemate.
Djukanovic, 61, has dominated Montenegro as president or prime minister for 33 years, because the begin of outdated federal Yugoslavia’s disintegration, and opponents have lengthy accused the previous communist and his social gathering of operating the small Adriatic republic as their fiefdom, allegations they deny.
His rival in Sunday’s second-round election is Jakov Milatovic, 37, a former economic system minister and the deputy head of the Europe Now motion who advocates nearer ties with each the European Union and fellow ex-Yugoslav republic Serbia.
Djukanovic wound up with 35.37% of the vote within the first spherical of the election on March 19, with Milatovic on 28.92%, necessitating a run-off as neither garnered a 50% majority.
Analysts mentioned the outcomes herald a intently fought run-off.
Djukanovic shall be depending on the normal assist of nationwide minorities, Montenegrins dwelling overseas, pro-Western events and those that abstained within the first spherical.
Milatovic counted on backing from the pro-Serb and pro-Russian Democratic Front and its chief Andrija Mandic, who on March 19 secured 19.3%, but in addition from different smaller events together with the now-ruling URA, a pro-Western group.
Djukanovic has led Montenegro because the collapse of outdated Yugoslavia, initially as an ally of then-Serbian nationalist strongman Slobodan Milosevic, earlier than parting methods with him and adopting a pro-Western agenda.
Montenegro, whose economic system depends on tourism generated by its scenic mountains and seaside, ditched a state union with a lot bigger Serbia in 2006 and declared independence. It joined NATO in 2017 and is now a candidate for European Union membership.
Djukanovic campaigned for continuity. “We want to continue to live as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural, civic state … that wants to be a member of the EU,” he mentioned.
But analysts mentioned he confronted a severe problem in Sunday’s vote after a 12 months of political instability that noticed two governments felled by no-confidence votes prompted by perceived mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial mismanagement and a disputed deal regulating ties with the Serbian Orthodox Church.
A row between lawmakers and Djukanovic over his refusal to call a brand new prime minister deepened the political paralysis.
Focus on corruption
Opponents accuse Djukanovic and his center-left Democratic Party of Socialists of corruption, nepotism and hyperlinks to organized crime within the nation of some 620,000 folks –accusations Djukanovic and the DPS deny.
“Not only has Djukanovic allowed the elite to accumulate significant wealth…, he has tried to convince … the poor that they are where they are because they don’t deserve better,” Zarija Pejovic, an economic system lecturer at Mediteran University within the capital Podgorica, informed Reuters.
Milatovic, who was the economic system minister within the authorities that took energy on the again of pro-Serb spiritual rallies in 2020, co-formed the Europe Now motion in 2022 vowing to curb graft, safe higher dwelling requirements and increase relations with Serbia.
“I am here to lead Montenegro to success because for too long we have been led by the unsuccessful,” Milatovic informed a marketing campaign rally.
Vladimir Pavicevic of the Montenegrin Policy Research Society think-tank mentioned Milatovic might appeal to earlier supporters of the DPS – now the most important social gathering in parliament – along with his promise of a contemporary begin.
“An atmosphere has been created …showing Milatovic is a politician who brings new trends and opportunities … There’s a large number of people who voted for DPS and are now ready to vote for Milatović,” Pavicevic informed Belgrade each day Danas.
Parliamentary elections
On March 16 Djukanovic dissolved parliament and scheduled snap elections for June 11.
Although the presidency is essentially ceremonial, it holds key powers to appoint prime ministers, dissolve parliament and name elections, and whoever wins the presidential vote will bolster the probabilities of his social gathering in June.
Montenegro has a legacy of bitter divisions between those that establish as Montenegrins and those that see themselves as Serbs and are against the nation’s independence.
The nation joined NATO after a 2016 coup try that the Djukanovic authorities blamed on Russian brokers and Serbian nationalists. Moscow dismissed such accusations as absurd, and Serbia denied involvement.
After the invasion of Ukraine final 12 months, Montenegro signed up for EU sanctions in opposition to Russia. The Kremlin has positioned Montenegro on its listing of unfriendly states.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
