Milo Đukanović

Milo Đukanović is a prominent Montenegrin politician. He has been a central figure in the politics of Montenegro for over 33 years. This long career makes him the longest-ruling contemporary politician in Europe. He has held several top roles in the government. He served as the Prime Minister during four different periods. He also served two terms as the President of Montenegro.

Đukanović began his political life in the late 1970s. He joined the Yugoslav Communist League while still in high school. This was the only legal political party in communist Yugoslavia. His father was an influential member of the party in Montenegro. This connection helped Đukanović move up the political ladder quickly. By 1988, he became the youngest member of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. His direct and forceful way of speaking earned him the nickname "Britva," which means "Straight razor."

His early leadership involved significant shifts in alliances. In the late 1980s, he was a close ally of Slobodan Milošević. During this time, his government was involved in the siege of Dubrovnik. This conflict caused heavy structural damage to the city. However, Đukanović changed his political direction in 1996. He distanced himself from Milošević and the federal government. He began to support Montenegrin nationalism instead. This shift focused on a separate Montenegrin identity and state independence. This decision caused a split within his own political party.

Đukanović led Montenegro through several major transitions. In 1997, he won the presidential election by a very thin margin. In 1999, he negotiated with Western nations during NATO airstrikes in Yugoslavia. During this period, he also oversaw the adoption of the Deutsche Mark. This replaced the Yugoslav dinar as the local currency. Later, he signed the 2003 Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro. This agreement eventually allowed for Montenegrin independence. In 2006, a referendum led to the formal separation of Montenegro.

His later years in power focused on international integration. He pursued policies to join NATO and the European Union. This effort resulted in Montenegro becoming a member of NATO in 2017. During his time as a leader, he also managed the privatization of public companies. These companies were sold to various foreign firms and investors. While these moves changed the economy, they also brought significant scrutiny. Many international organizations began to monitor the way his government used power.

His long rule faced serious criticism and challenges. Some international groups, such as Freedom House, described Montenegro as a hybrid regime. They warned of "democratic backsliding" under his leadership. These organizations pointed to the abuse of power and state capture. Critics also noted that his family members held influential positions. His brother owned the country's first private bank. His sister was a lawyer who controlled the judiciary for a long time. Scandals regarding corruption and new laws led to large protests in 2019 and 2020.

Political change finally arrived through the voting process. In the 2020 parliamentary elections, the opposition won more votes than Đukanović's party. This was the first time in three decades that his party lost control. The end of his long era came in April 2023. He participated in a presidential run-off election. He was defeated by Jakov Milatović, a 36-year-old former economy minister. This election marked a major shift in the political landscape of Montenegro.