The Founding Father and The First President of Montenegro

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Milo Đukanović is the first President of Montenegro. He was born on February 15th, 1962 in Nikšić, Montenegro, Yugoslavia. He is a Montenegrin politician who has served as President of Montenegro twice, from 1998 to 2002 and again from 2003 to 2006. He also served as Prime Minister of Montenegro from 1991 to 1998 and again from 2006 to 2008. Đukanović is a controversial figure in Montenegrin politics, and his presidency has been marked by both progress and setbacks.

Đukanović is a member of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS), which he has led since 1991. During his time as Prime Minister, he played a key role in Montenegro’s independence from Yugoslavia in 2006. He has also been a strong supporter of Montenegro’s membership in the European Union (EU), and the country became a candidate for EU membership in 2010.

However, Đukanović has also been criticized for his authoritarian leadership style and his close ties to organized crime. He has been accused of using his power to enrich himself and his family, and of cracking down on political opponents. In 2015, he was named as one of the most corrupt leaders in the world by Transparency International.

Despite these criticisms, Đukanović remains a popular figure in Montenegro, and he was re-elected to the presidency in 2018. His legacy is likely to be mixed, with his achievements in promoting Montenegro’s independence and EU membership balanced by his controversial leadership style and allegations of corruption.

  • Đukanović was born in Nikšić, Montenegro, Yugoslavia on February 15th, 1962.
  • He is a Montenegrin politician who has served as President of Montenegro twice, from 1998 to 2002 and again from 2003 to 2006.
  • He also served as Prime Minister of Montenegro from 1991 to 1998 and again from 2006 to 2008.
  • Đukanović is a member of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS), which he has led since 1991.
  • During his time as Prime Minister, he played a key role in Montenegro’s independence from Yugoslavia in 2006.
  • He has also been a strong supporter of Montenegro’s membership in the European Union (EU), and the country became a candidate for EU membership in 2010.
  • Đukanović has been criticized for his authoritarian leadership style and his close ties to organized crime.
  • He has been accused of using his power to enrich himself and his family, and of cracking down on political opponents.
  • In 2015, he was named as one of the most corrupt leaders in the world by Transparency International.
  • Đukanović remains a popular figure in Montenegro, and he was re-elected to the presidency in 2018.
Montenegro (  MON-tin-E(E)G-roh, -⁠AY-groh; Montenegrin: Crna Gora / Црна Гора; Albanian: Mali i Zi; lit. 'Black Mountain') is a country in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north, Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo to the east, Albania to the southeast, and Croatia and the Adriatic Sea to the northwest with a coastline of 293.5 km. Podgorica (Cyrillic: Подгорица) is the country's capital and its largest city. It covers 10.4% of Montenegro's territory of 13,812 square kilometres (5,333 sq mi), and is home to roughly 31% of its total population of 621,000. Cetinje (Cyrillic: Цетиње) is the former royal capital and cultural centre  of Montenegro and is the location of several national institutions, including the official residence of the President of Montenegro.During the Early Medieval period, three principalities were located on the territory of modern-day Montenegro: Duklja, roughly corresponding to the southern half; Travunia, the west; and Rascia proper, the north. The Principality of Zeta emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries. From the late 14th century to the late 18th century, large parts of southern Montenegro were ruled by the Venetian Republic and incorporated into Venetian Albania. The name Montenegro was first used to refer to the country in the late 15th century. After falling under Ottoman Empire rule, Montenegro gained semi-autonomy in 1696 under the rule of the House of Petrović-Njegoš, first as a theocracy and later as a secular principality. Montenegro's independence was recognised by the Great Powers at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. In 1910, the country became a kingdom. After World War I, the kingdom became part of Yugoslavia. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, the republics of Serbia and Montenegro together proclaimed a federation. In June 2006 Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia and Montenegro following an independence referendum, creating Montenegro and Serbia as they exist today. Montenegro is therefore one of the newest internationally-recognised countries in the world.Montenegro has an upper-middle-income economy, and ranks 49th in the Human Development Index. It is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the World Trade Organization, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, and the Central European Free Trade Agreement. Montenegro is also a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean, and has been in the process of joining the European Union since 2012.

Emblem of Montenegro

To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Mongolia, Monaco and Moldova. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics.

The President of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Predsjednik Crne Gore / Предсједник Црне Горе) is the head of state of Montenegro. The current president is Jakov Milatović since 20 May 2023. The official residence of the president is the Dom Revolucije in Nikšić.
The President is constitutionally limited to two five-year terms of office. A candidate must be a citizen of Montenegro and have lived there for at least ten of the prior fifteen years.

The official residence and symbol of the Montenegro President

10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Montenegro’s History

The President's Office in Montenegro
The President’s Office in Montenegro

Montenegro is a small country located in Southeast Europe. Over the years, it has had several influential presidents who have played a significant role in shaping the nation. Here are ten of the most popular presidents from Montenegro:

  • Milo Đukanović (1998-2002, 2003-2006, 2008-2010, 2012-2020): As the longest-serving president of Montenegro, Đukanović led the country during its transition from communism to independence in 2006.
  • Filip Vujanović (2003-2018): Vujanović served three terms as president, overseeing Montenegro’s entry into NATO in 2017. He was well-regarded for his diplomatic skills and efforts in enhancing Montenegro’s international relations.
  • Momir Bulatović (1990-1998): Bulatović was the first president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which included Montenegro. He played an instrumental role in Montenegro’s political and economic transformation during the early 1990s.
  • Svetozar Marović (2003-2006): Marović was a popular president known for his commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and stability. He actively promoted Montenegro’s integration into the European Union.
  • Andrija Mandić (2010): Mandić served as the interim president of Montenegro for a short period in 2010. He is renowned for his involvement in Montenegro’s opposition movement and advocating for minority rights.
  • Ivan Brajović (2018-2020): Brajović was a prominent figure in Montenegro’s political scene and served as the Speaker of the Parliament. He assumed the role of acting president during Đukanović’s temporary absence from office.
  • Ranko Krivokapić (2006-2018): Krivokapić, known for his intellectualism, served as the Speaker of the Parliament and as the acting president on multiple occasions. He played a crucial role in Montenegro’s democratic development.
  • Vujica Lazović (2000): Lazović briefly served as the interim president during the electoral transition period. He contributed to the stabilization of Montenegro’s political environment after the fall of communism.
  • Dragan Kujović (2018): Kujović assumed the position of interim president in 2018. His presidency focused on maintaining stability and leading the country during a sensitive political transition period.
  • Nikola Vukićević (2002): Vukićević held the office of interim president for a few months before Vujanović’s re-election. His presidency emphasized continuity and ensuring smooth governance during the transitional period.

These ten popular presidents from Montenegro have played vital roles in the country’s political development, diplomatic relations, and democratic progress. Through their leadership, Montenegro has made significant strides towards stability, independence, and integration into the international community.

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