President of Montenegro since 2023
Jakov Milatović (Cyrillic :Јаков Милатовић ,pronounced [jakoʋ Montenegrin politician and economist who is the incumbentpresident of Montenegro , serving since May 2023. He previously served as theminister of economic development in thecabinet ofZdravko Krivokapić from 2020 to 2022, and as an economist at theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development inLondon andPodgorica .[ 1] Europe Now! , aliberal andpro-European political party that is the largest single party in theMontenegrin parliament .
Taking office in a landslidepresidential election at the age of 36, Milatović is the youngest person to hold the office of president in independentMontenegro , as well as theworld's sixth-youngest serving state leader . He is the third president of Montenegro since the country's independence in 2006. He has made improvingliving standards , tacklingcorruption , and theaccession of Montenegro to the European Union by 2028 his central issues.[ 2] [ 3]
Early life and education [ edit ] Milatović was born on 7 December 1986[ 4] Titograd ,SR Montenegro ,SFR Yugoslavia , where he graduated elementary and secondary schoolGymnasium "Slobodan Škerović" . In 2005, he wrote in his high schoolyearbook his ambition to become the president of Montenegro within ten years.[ 5] Yugoslav Partisans .[ 6] Battle of Mojkovac in 1916.[ 5] unionist and one of the founders of theSocialist People's Party (SNP).[ 7] Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).[ 5]
He completed his undergraduate studies in the field of economics at the Faculty of Economics of theUniversity of Montenegro . He then spent one academic year atIllinois State University asUS Fellow; one semester at theVienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien) asGovernment of Austria Fellow; and one academic year at theSapienza University of Rome (La Sapienza) asEU Fellow. Milatović completed hisMPhil ineconomics atSt John's College, Oxford . He was a British GovernmentChevening Scholarship Fellow. He was also a fellow of the GermanKonrad Adenauer Foundation .[ 8] Serbian ,[ 9] [ 10] [ 11]
Milatović worked atNLB Group Podgorica, andDeutsche Bank ,Frankfurt . In 2014, he joined theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the team for economic and political analysis. In 2019, he was promoted to the principal economist for the EU countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, and was based at the Bank's office in Bucharest.[ 12] [ 13]
[ edit ] He served as theminister of economic development in the Krivokapić Cabinet from 4 December 2020 to 28 April 2022.[ 14] Milojko Spajić presented and implemented the controversial "Europe now" economic reform program.[ 15] [ 16]
[ edit ] In 2022, Milatović and Spajić founded theEurope Now political party, with Spajić as president and Milatović as deputy president. It participated in the2022 local elections ,[ 17] [ 18] mayor of Podgorica .[ 19]
2023 presidential campaign [ edit ] In March 2023, Milatović ran as a replacement candidate of Europe Now in the2023 Montenegrin presidential election after Spajić's candidacy was rejected by the State Electoral Commission (DIK) as it was discovered that he is a dual citizen of Serbia and Montenegro.[ 20] landslide victory against the incumbent presidentMilo Đukanović in the run-off on 2 April 2023.[ 21] [ 22] Brussels .[ 23]
[ edit ] Milatović with President of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyen , 31 October 2023 Milatović was sworn in on 20 May 2023 in theParliament of Montenegro in Podgorica[ 24] Cetinje .[ 25] Balkan leaders such asAleksandar Vučić ,Zoran Milanović ,Željko Komšić ,Željka Cvijanović ,Denis Bećirović ,Vjosa Osmani ,Bajram Begaj , andGalab Donev .[ 24] Pope Francis .[ 26]
In June 2023, Milatović stated he expected Montenegro tojoin the European Union by 2027 or 2028.[ 27] Volodymyr Zelenskyy inAthens , stating that Montenegro "openly and strongly condemns Russia's unprovoked aggression againstUkraine ."[ 28]
On 28 August 2023, Milatović said that the "winning energy" after his presidential election had been "shattered" by the disagreements over the new government formation, appealing to the prime minister-designate Spajič and everyone participating in the consultations on the formation of the new government to make the process "more transparent and in accordance with the electoral will".[ 29]
On 24 February 2024, Milatović announced he would be leaving PES!, following a split with Spajić.[ 30]
Political positions [ edit ] His political positions have been described ascentrist ,[ 31] [ 32] populist .[ 33] [ 34] [ 35] 2006 independence referendum .[ 6] Democratic Montenegro and theFor the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) coalition.[ 7]
Milatović greeting Slovenian Prime MinsterRobert Golob , 7 November 2023 Milatović supports the accession of Montenegro to the European Union.[ 36] relations between Montenegro and Serbia .[ 37] [ 38] [ 39] sanctioning Russia due to itsinvasion of Ukraine , which he considers an act of aggression.[ 40] Kosovo's independence unrealistic, stating that Kosovo is an internationally recognized country.[ 41] International Court of Justice's verdict on theSrebrenica genocide .[ 42] Open Balkan initiative.[ 5] [ 43] [ 39]
Milatović has voiced support for minorities in Montenegro. He reached out to minority communities within the country to start a dialogue, with the intent of creating an environment of equal opportunities. He has also voiced support for theRoma minority in Montenegro, expressing hope that they may be represented in Parliament of Montenegro.[ 44]
In June 2023, Milatović met withLGBTQ groups such asQueer Montenegro . This came only a month after such groups had refused to meet with the Minister for Human and Minority Rights,Fatmir Gjeka , in response to his failure to make progress on LGBTQ initiatives.[ 45] [ 46] [ 47]
Milatović has voiced support for immigrants in Montenegro, such as pointing out that "the international community often replaces preventive responses with reactionary measures— themigration crisis in the Mediterranean region is just one example." He also highlighted examples of Montenegro supporting immigrants in the past, such as when Podgorica gave shelter to 100,000 refugees and displaced persons duringYugoslav Wars . Furthermore, he drew attention to Montenegro's support of immigrants from Ukraine.[ 44]
Milatović is married to Milena Milatović. They have three children together.[ 48] [ 49] Serbian Orthodox Christian [ 9] Ostrog Monastery , however he considers his religious views a private matter.[ 50] Montenegrin by ethnicity, and speaksSerbian .[ 51] [ 52] [ 53]
^ "Ko je Jakov Milatović kandidat za ministra za ekonomski razvoj" [Who is Jakov Milatović, the candidate for Minister of Economic Development].Biznis CG (in Montenegrin). 5 November 2020. Archived fromthe original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved22 December 2020 .^ Dunai, Marton (28 May 2023)."Montenegro's young guard aims to speed up EU accession" .Financial Times . Retrieved7 July 2023 . ^ Vasovic, Aleksandar (2 April 2023)."Montenegro's ex-economy minister Milatovic declares victory in presidential run-off" .Reuters . Retrieved7 July 2023 . ^ "Kako je, još na maturi, predskazana budućnost ministra Jakova Milatovića" [How the future of Minister Jakov Milatović was predicted at the graduation ceremony]. 20 December 2021.Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved21 March 2023 .^a b c d Dedeić, Siniša (20 March 2023)."Ko je Jakov Milatović koji tvrdi da će "Mila poslati u penziju"?" [Who is Jakov Milatović who claims that he will "send Milo into retirement"?].Istinomer (in Serbian). Retrieved8 April 2023 . ^a b "Jakov Milatović: Glasao sam za nezavisnost Crne Gore 2006. godine!" [Jakov Milatović: I voted for the independence of Montenegro in 2006!].kurir.rs (in Serbian).Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved19 March 2023 .^a b "Glasao Sam Demokrate: Milatović otkrio i da mu je otac jedan od osnivača SNP-a" [I Vvoted Democrats: Milatović also revealed that his father was one of the founders of the SNP].Region.alo (in Serbian). 5 March 2023. Retrieved8 April 2023 .^ "Biografija Predloženih Ministara" [Biography of Proposed Ministers].www.dan.co.me .Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved14 November 2020 .^a b "Милатовић: Изјаснићу се као Црногорац који говори српским језиком" .Politika Online . Retrieved3 January 2024 .^ "Jakov Milatovic" .LinkedIn . Retrieved19 June 2023 .^ "Milatović: Izjasniću se kao Crnogorac koji govori srpskim jezikom" .Politika Online (in Serbian). 8 November 2023. Retrieved9 November 2023 .^ "Ovo su biografije kandidata za nove ministre" [These are the biographies of the candidates for the new ministers].vijesti.me .Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved22 December 2020 .^ "Biografija Jakova Milatovića" [Biography of Jakov Milatović].www.dan.co.me . 2 April 2023. Retrieved10 April 2023 .^ "Izabrana 42. Vlada Crne Gore" [42nd Government of Montenegro was elected].Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved23 October 2022 .^ "Spajić, Milatović: Čvrsto stojimo iza programa Evropa sad! onako kako ga je Vlada predložila" [Spajić, Milatović: We firmly stand behind the program Europe now! as proposed by the Government].Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved23 October 2022 .^ Durović, Aneta (25 October 2022)."Tajna izbornog uspjeha Pokreta Evropa sad u Crnoj Gori" [The secret of the electoral success of the Europe Now Movement in Montenegro].Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved24 May 2023 . ^ " ["Europe now" goes to local elections, the mission of the Movement: Average salary 1,000 euros, minimum pension 450 euros, no unemployed...].Pobjeda .Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved23 October 2022 .^ "Lokalni izbori u Crnoj Gori: DPS bez apsolutne većine u Podgorici, uspon pokreta "Evropa sad" [Local elections in Montenegro: DPS without an absolute majority in Podgorica, the rise of the "Europe Now" movement].Glas Amerike (in Serbian). 23 October 2022.Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved23 October 2022 .^ "Objavljeni konačni rezultati izbora u Podgorici: Opozicija potukla Mila Đukanovića" [The final results of the election in Podgorica have been announced: the opposition beat Milo Đukanović].Nova portal (in Serbian). 23 October 2022.Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved4 April 2023 .^ Milićević, Nenad (23 February 2023)." ["Europe Now" instead of Spajić is running Jakov Milatović for the President of Montenegro].N1 (in Serbian).Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved4 April 2023 . ^ Gedošević, Lana (2 April 2023)."Jakov Milatović Ubedljiv Obrađeno 90 odsto glasova, brojke za Mila Đukanovića Nedostižne" [Jakov Milatović Convincing 90 percent of votes processed, numbers for Milo Đukanović Unachievable].Blic.rs (in Serbian).Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved2 April 2023 . ^ "DIK utvrdio rezultate: Milatoviću 58,88 odsto glasova, Đukanoviću 41,12 odsto" [DIK determined the results: Milatović got 58.88 percent of the votes, Đukanović got 41.12 percent].Antena M (in Montenegrin). 3 April 2023.Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved4 April 2023 .^ "Milatović: Cilj je pomirena Crna Gora, prvo ću posjetiti Brisel, nema saradnje sa DPS-om" [Milatović: The goal is a reconciled Montenegro, I will visit Brussels first, there is no cooperation with DPS].www.dan.co.me . 3 April 2023. Retrieved7 April 2023 .^a b "Milatović polaže zakletvu u podne: Vučić stigao u Podgoricu" [Milatović takes the oath at noon: Vučić arrived in Podgorica].vijesti.me (in Montenegrin). Retrieved20 May 2023 .^ "Presedan zbog ugrožene bezbednosti: Milatović se umesto na Cetinju zaklinje u ovom gradu" [Precedent due to threatened security: Milatović swears in this city instead of in Cetinje].Nova portal (in Serbian). 15 April 2023. Retrieved20 May 2023 .^ "Papa Franjo čestitao Milatoviću početak mandata" [Pope Francis congratulated Milatović on the beginning of his mandate].Radio Televizija Crne Gore - Nacionalni javni servis . Retrieved20 May 2023 .^ "Milatović: Potrebni novi izbori na severu Kosova i uspostavljanje ZSO" [Milatović: New elections are needed in the north of Kosovo and the establishment of the ZSO].Kosovo Online . Retrieved11 June 2023 .^ "Milatović poručio Zelenskom: Ukrajina će u Crnoj Gori uvek imati prijatelja" [Milatović told Zelenskyy: Ukraine will always have a friend in Montenegro].Tanjug . Retrieved22 August 2023 .^ "Milatović: Pobjednička energija se razbila" [Milatović: The winning energy has been shattered].vijesti.me (in Montenegrin). Retrieved30 August 2023 .^ "Milatović dao ostavku na sve funkcije u Pokretu Evropa sad" . 24 February 2024.^ "Montenegro elections: Long-standing leader Milo Djukanovic suffers defeat" .BBC News . 3 April 2023.Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved3 April 2023 .^ "RTS :: Region :: Đukanović ili Milatović – da li će dijaspora odlučiti izbore" [RTS :: Region :: Đukanović or Milatović - will the diaspora decide the elections].rts.rs .Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved3 April 2023 .^ Standard (20 March 2023)."Gjenero: Milatović nije bezazlen i pristojan, već populista kojeg je stvorila SPC" [Gjenero: Milatović is not harmless and decent, but a populist created by the SPC].Standard (in Bosnian). Retrieved20 April 2023 . ^ "Litijaš i desni populista Jakov Milatović nije građanski, nego u osnovi većinski kandidat kleronacionalista" [Litijaš and right-wing populist Jakov Milatović is not a citizen, but basically the majority candidate of the clero-nationalists].Portal Analitika . Retrieved20 April 2023 .^ Aktuelno (2 April 2023)."Otvorena VrataSrpskog Sveta : Populista Jakov Milatović novi je predsjednik Crne Gore" [Open Doors of the "Serbian World": Populist Jakov Milatović is the new president of Montenegro].Aktuelno (in Bosnian). Retrieved20 April 2023 . ^ "Milatović: Uvešću Crnu Goru u EU, a sjever Crne Gore preporoditi" [Milatović: I will bring Montenegro into the EU, and the north of Montenegro will be reborn].vijesti.me (in Montenegrin).Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved19 March 2023 .^ Đurić, Novica."Srbija je za Crnu Goru više od ekonomije" [For Montenegro, Serbia is more than the economy].Politika Online .Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved19 March 2023 . ^ "Milatović: Decu sam krstio u SPC" [Milatović: I baptized my children in SPC].Direktno (in Serbian).Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved24 March 2023 .^a b Pašić, Danijela (20 April 2023)."Milatović: Prijateljski sa Vučićem, bolje u Otvoreni, nego u zatvoreni Balkan" [Milatović: Friendly with Vučić, better in the Open than in the closed Balkans].N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved20 April 2023 . ^ "Jakov Milatović: Rusija je izvršila agresiju na Ukrajinu, Crna Gora će se u potpunosti držati političkog kursa EU" [Jakov Milatović: Russia has committed aggression against Ukraine, Montenegro will fully adhere to the political course of the EU].Politika Online . Retrieved7 April 2023 .^ Nikolić, Mirjana (5 April 2023)."Milatović: Crna Gora još snažnije prema EU, Kosovo je završena priča" [Milatović: Montenegro even more strongly towards the EU, Kosovo is the end of the story].N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved7 April 2023 . ^ "Milatović o Srebrenici: Moja pozicija je vrlo jasna" [Milatović on Srebrenica: My position is very clear].Aljazeera . 7 April 2023. Retrieved7 April 2023 .^ "Milatović: Mislim da bi Crna Gora trebalo da bude dio Otvorenog Balkana" [Milatović: I think that Montenegro should be part of Open Balkan].cdm . Retrieved16 April 2023 .^a b "Montenegro | General Debate" .gadebate.un.org . 21 September 2023. Retrieved13 June 2025 .^ February, 2024.Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, AND Intersex People Covering the Period of January to December 2023 . Retrieved 13 June 2025. ^ Milutin (29 June 2023)."President of Montenegro supported LGBTI community" .Drug Policy Network SEE . Retrieved13 June 2025 . ^ "Predsjednik Milatović sastao se sa aktivistima i predstavnicima LGBTIQ+ zajednice" .predsjednik.me (in Cree). Archived fromthe original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved13 June 2025 .^ Heil, Andy (1 April 2023)."Jakov Milatovic, The Man Who Unseated Montenegro's Longtime Leader" .RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty . Retrieved9 November 2023 . ^ Matijašević, Biljana (18 July 2023)."Milatović: Crna Gora može biti uspješna priča i "svjetlo na kraju tunela" za države regiona i zemlje kandidate" .vijesti.me (in Montenegrin). Retrieved9 November 2023 . ^ "Milatović: DF nije isto što i DPS, Đukanović otjerao dijasporu iz Crne Gore" .ДАН - Naslovna (in Bosnian). 23 March 2023. Retrieved9 November 2023 .^ "Ovo Je Novi Predsednik Crne Gore – Jakov Milatović je pobedio Mila Đukanovića: Crnogorac i pravoslavac, otac troje dece" [This Is The New President of Montenegro – Jakov Milatović defeated Milo Đukanović: Montenegrin and Orthodox, father of three children].Blic.rs (in Serbian). 31 March 2023.Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved2 April 2023 .^ "Milatović: Ja sam etnički Crnogorac, na popisu ljudi da se slobodno izjasne" .Naslovna (in Bosnian). 7 October 2023. Retrieved12 October 2023 .^ "Izjasniću se kao Crnogorac, govorim srpskim jezikom" .Radio Televizija Crne Gore - Nacionalni javni servis (in Bosnian). Retrieved9 November 2023 .^ https://predsjednik.me/en/press/article/predsjednik-republike-italije-serdo-matarela-boravi-u-zvanicnoj-posjeti-crnoj-gori-na-poziv-predsjednika-drzave-jakova-milatovica/
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