Montenegro - June 2023

The centrist Europe Now Movement has come first in the snap parliamentary elections, winning 25.5 per cent of the vote. These are the first elections in 30 years in which Milo Đukanović, the longest-ruling leader in contemporary Europe has not participated (following his loss in presidential elections in April). Đukanović held key positions for over 31 years, including as a president and prime minister. The coalition led by his party, the Democratic Party of Socialists, received 23.2 per cent of the vote, while the pro-Serbian electoral alliance “For the Future of Montenegro” garnered 14.7 per cent. Outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazović’s green-conservative coalition of United Reform Action and Democratic Montenegro won 12.5 per cent of the vote.  The party has promised reforms on EU membership and the economy, including increases in average wages. International observers deemed the elections well-run, but emphasized the need for electoral reforms due to gaps and inconsistencies on the election law, which has not been updated since 2014. Voter turnout was the lowest since 1990, dropping to 56.3 per cent, a notable decrease from 76.7 per cent in 2020.

Sources: Vijesti, Državna izborna komisija (State Election Commission), Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Euronews, OSCE ODIHR, International IDEA