Milo Đukanović, Montenegrin politician, 29th Prime Minister of Montenegro

Milo Đukanović: A Defining Figure in Modern Montenegrin Politics

Milo Đukanović, born on 15 February 1962, stands as one of the most enduring and influential figures in the political landscape of Montenegro. His career spans over three decades, marked by a transformative journey from a close ally of Serbian strongman Slobodan Milošević to a staunch advocate for Montenegrin independence and Euro-Atlantic integration. He has held the nation's highest offices, serving multiple terms as both President and Prime Minister, guiding Montenegro through its transition from a constituent republic of Yugoslavia to an independent, sovereign state.

A Dominant Political Figure: Roles and Party Leadership

Đukanović currently serves as the President of Montenegro, a role he has held since 2018, having previously occupied the position from 1998 to 2003. Beyond the presidency, his extensive political career includes several non-consecutive stints as Prime Minister of Montenegro, specifically from 1991–1998, 2003–2006, 2008–2010, and 2012–2016. This long tenure in various executive roles highlights his pervasive influence on the country's governance and direction.

Central to his political power has been his leadership of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS). The DPS, originally the Montenegrin branch of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, successfully transformed itself into a dominant social-democratic force. Under Đukanović's long-term presidency, the party governed Montenegro either independently or in coalition, from the very introduction of multi-party politics in the early 1990s until its historic defeat in the 2020 parliamentary election, marking the end of an era of undisputed power.

Early Career and Shifting Allegiances: From Milošević Ally to Montenegrin Independence Advocate

Đukanović's initial emergence on the political scene saw him as a key supporter of Slobodan Milošević during the tumultuous "Anti-bureaucratic revolution" of 1988–1989, a period of mass protests that consolidated Milošević's power and signaled the impending breakup of Yugoslavia. As the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia began to dissolve (1991–1992), Đukanović's cabinet in Montenegro actively participated in the controversial Siege of Dubrovnik (1991–1992), a military campaign that drew international condemnation.

During these early years, Đukanović aligned with Momir Bulatović's stance, supporting Lord Carrington's peace plan terms, which led to the 1992 Montenegrin independence referendum. In this plebiscite, Montenegrin voters opted to remain within the newly formed Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (comprising Serbia and Montenegro). However, a significant ideological pivot occurred in 1996 when Đukanović publicly distanced himself from Milošević and the federal government in Belgrade. This shift saw him abandon the traditional joint Serbian and Montenegrin vision in favor of a distinct Montenegrin nationalism, advocating for the state's independence and a separate Montenegrin identity. This ideological schism irrevocably divided the Democratic Party of Socialists, leading to the formation of Bulatović's pro-unionist faction.

The power struggle culminated in the closely contested 1997 presidential election, where Đukanović narrowly defeated Bulatović, solidifying his new political direction. By 1999, as NATO commenced its bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, Đukanović engaged in direct negotiations with Western countries, successfully seeking to limit the scope of airstrikes on Montenegrin territory. Furthermore, he spearheaded a critical economic reform by overseeing the implementation of the Deutsche Mark as Montenegro's new official currency, replacing the highly unstable Yugoslav dinar and laying the groundwork for greater economic stability and European integration.

Path to Sovereignty and Western Alignment

Following the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, Đukanović played a crucial role in negotiating an agreement with the new Serbian government. This agreement paved the way for the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003, which transformed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into a looser state union and, critically, included provisions for Montenegrin independence. Three years later, in 2006, Montenegro held a second independence referendum, which resulted in a formal separation from the state union. This momentous decision led to the proclamation of the new Constitution of Montenegro in 2007, solidifying the nation's sovereign status.

Under Đukanović's continued leadership, Montenegro embarked on a determined foreign policy course centered on Euro-Atlantic integration. This policy yielded significant results, most notably Montenegro's accession to NATO in 2017, a landmark achievement for the small Balkan nation. He also steadfastly pursued membership in the European Union, positioning Montenegro as a frontrunner in the accession process among Western Balkan countries. Economically, his premiership and presidency were characterized by the large-scale privatization of state-owned companies, with numerous public assets sold to foreign investors and firms, aiming to modernize the economy and attract capital.

Challenges to Power and Enduring Controversies

Despite his long-standing political dominance, Đukanović's rule has faced increasing scrutiny and opposition. A series of high-profile corruption scandals involving the ruling party triggered significant anti-government protests in 2019. These were followed by another wave of demonstrations sparked by a controversial religion law, which opponents argued aimed to appropriate the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. These popular movements reflected a growing discontent with the political establishment.

The culmination of these challenges came in the 2020 parliamentary election, where, for the first time in three decades, the opposition parties collectively secured more votes than Đukanović's Democratic Party of Socialists and its traditional coalition partners. This historic defeat marked a significant turning point in Montenegrin politics, ending the DPS's uninterrupted reign.

Observers have frequently characterized Đukanović's political style and governance as authoritarian or autocratic, and his administration has often been labeled a "kleptocracy," suggesting widespread corruption and personal enrichment through political power. In 2020, the independent watchdog organization Freedom House downgraded Montenegro's status from a democracy to a "hybrid regime," citing years of increasing state capture, abuse of power, and strongman tactics employed by Đukanović and his party. Furthermore, he has often been linked to allegations of ties to organized crime and the Montenegrin mafia, accusations he has consistently denied.

Concerns about his personal wealth have also been a recurring theme. In May 2010, the British newspaper *The Independent* listed Đukanović among the twenty richest world leaders, describing the source of his estimated £10 million fortune as "mysterious." More recently, in October 2021, the investigative "Pandora Papers" leak revealed that Đukanović and his son, Blažo Đukanović, were linked to two trusts established in the British Virgin Islands, rekindling questions about their financial dealings and transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Milo Đukanović

What positions has Milo Đukanović held in Montenegro?
Milo Đukanović has served multiple terms as both the President of Montenegro (1998–2003, and since 2018) and the Prime Minister of Montenegro (1991–1998, 2003–2006, 2008–2010, and 2012–2016). He was also the long-term president of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS).
What was Đukanović's relationship with Slobodan Milošević?
Initially, Đukanović was a close ally of Slobodan Milošević during the "Anti-bureaucratic revolution" and the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia. However, by 1996, he publicly distanced himself from Milošević and his federal government, advocating instead for Montenegrin independence and a separate national identity.
When did Montenegro gain independence?
Montenegro formally gained independence from the state union of Serbia and Montenegro following a successful independence referendum in 2006. This led to the proclamation of a new Constitution of Montenegro in 2007.
What are some of the criticisms leveled against Milo Đukanović?
Criticisms include allegations of authoritarianism, autocratic tendencies, and kleptocracy. He has been cited by Freedom House for state capture and abuse of power, and has faced accusations of links to organized crime. Concerns have also been raised regarding his personal wealth, with his family being mentioned in the Pandora Papers investigation.
What was the significance of the 2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election?
The 2020 parliamentary election was historically significant because, for the first time in three decades since the introduction of multi-party politics, opposition parties collectively won more votes than Đukanović's ruling Democratic Party of Socialists and its coalition partners, ending their long period of continuous governance.