Credit:Željko Heimer (FOTW Flags Of The World website at flagspot.net)

Election Date: April 6, 2008

At stake: President

Background

Montenegro was an independent nation from the Middle Ages until 1918, when the Podgorica Assembly merged the area to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which was later renamed as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During World War II, Montenegro was occupied by Italian and German troops. In 1945, Montenegro became one of the six constituent members of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In 1991, Yugoslavia began to dissolve as Croatia and Slovenia declared their independence. The remnants of the Yugoslav Federation were transformed into Serbia and Montenegro in 2003. Both member states survived as a single entity—mostly because of influence from the European Union (EU)—and hinted at outright separation.

Filip Vujanovic of the Democratic Party of Montenegrin Socialists (DPSCG) won the 2003 presidential election in Montenegro in his third try.

By early 2006, Serbia and Montenegro had a population of 7.5 million people. Montenegro had close to 620,000 residents.

On Mar. 2, the Montenegrin Parliament passed a motion finalizing the details for a referendum on independence, which was scheduled for May 21. The rules called for more than half of all eligible voters to participate. In order to effectively achieve independence, 55 per cent of all actual voters had to choose Yes on the following question: "Do you wish the Republic of Montenegro to be an independent state with full international and legal subjectivity?"

Montenegrin prime minister Milo Djukanovic explained his rational for a Yes vote, saying, "I can see that having yet another small state complicates decisions in large groups like the European Union. But I am also certain that the people of Montenegro have a right to decide their future and we will be better off independent."

On May 21, 55.5 per cent of Montenegrin voters chose to become a sovereign nation. On Jun. 3, the Assembly of the Republic issued its formal Declaration of Independence.

The first legislative election since independence took place in September 2006. Final results gave the governing coalition of the Democratic Party of Montenegrin Socialists (DPSCG) and the Social-Democratic Party of Montenegro (SPCG) 41 seats in the 81-member legislative branch.

On Jan. 17, 2008, the Assembly of the Republic called for a presidential election to take place in April. This will be Montenegro’s first presidential election since independence. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has agreed to oversee the ballot.

Current president Filip Vujanovic of the Democratic Party of Montenegrin Socialists (DPSCG) will stand for re-election. The party’s coalition partner, the Social-Democratic Party of Montenegro (SPCG), is expected to endorse him as well.

Montenegrin opposition parties failed to agree on a single candidate. Parliamentary leader Andrija Mandic has been nominated by the Serb List. Nebosja Medojevic, a self-described reformist, is the candidate of Movement for Change (PZP). Srdan Milic will run with the Socialist People’s Party of Montenegro (SNPCG). The People’s Party of Montenegro (NSCG) will not file a candidate for the election or endorse any participant.

Blagota Mitric, a professor with the Faculty of Law of Podgorica’s University, and environmental activist Dragan Hajdukovic failed to collect enough signatures to launch their bids as independents.

On Feb. 7, Milo Djukanovic accepted a nomination by his DPSCG party to become Montenegro’s prime minister for the fifth time and replace Zeljko Sturanovic, who had resigned over health reasons. Djukanovic said he will work to improve living standards in Montenegro and prepare the country to enter the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), adding, “The government must improve economic structures so we can fully eliminate unemployment in the near future.”

On Feb. 20, Djukanovic received the mandate to form a government. His administration was ratified in the legislature on Feb. 29.

On Apr. 3, Vujanovic expressed confidence in a victory, adding, “My opponents are the ones who were against Montenegro’s independence.” Medojevic promised to enact sweeping changes, declaring, “No one will go to jail any more for their political stands. No more imprisonment for what people say.”

Voting took place on Apr. 6. Vujanovic was declared the winner with 51.9 per cent of all cast ballots, followed by Mandic with 19.5 per cent, Medojevic with 16.6 per cent, and Milic with 12 per cent. Vujanovic declared: “I won for Montenegro and its future. I will be the president of all the people in Montenegro.”

Political Players

President: Filip Vujanovic - DLECG
Prime minister: Milo Djukanovic  - DPSCG

The president is elected to a five-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Skupstina Republike Crne Gore (Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro) has 75 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Apr. 6, 2008

Assembly - Sept. 10, 2006

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