The incumbent president of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, has suffered a crushing electoral loss. Jakov Milatovic, a moderate former economy minister aged 36, declared victory in the presidential runoff on Sunday evening.
He will succeed Mr. Djukanovic, who has held power in Montenegro as president or prime minister for nearly three decades.
In the summer, snap elections for the legislature are scheduled.
Mr. Milatovic told jubilant supporters of his Europe Now Movement in the capital, Podgorica,
“This is the moment we have been waiting for almost 30 years. I wish you a joyous triumph.”
In five years, he promised to lead his small Balkan nation into the European Union.
Official results are anticipated later in the week, but two reputable election monitoring organizations predict Mr. Milatovic’s victory.
According to a study conducted by the Centre for Monitoring and Research, Mr. Milatovic received sixty percent of the vote.
Mr. Djukanovic was the youngest prime minister in Europe when he assumed power in 1991 at the age of 29 – the beginning of Yugoslavia’s disintegration. In 2006, he led Montenegro to independence from Serbia.
During Mr. Djukanovic’s leadership, Montenegro joined NATO, which angered Russia, and began the process of negotiating EU membership.
Once the magnitude of Mr. Milatovic’s victory became apparent on Sunday evening, Mr. Djukanovic conceded defeat and wished Mr. Milatovic well as president.
“I respect the decision made by Montenegro,” he told his followers.
Although though the presidency in Montenegro is mostly ceremonial, victory in this election could help the winning party in the June 11 parliamentary elections.
During his candidacy, Mr. Milatovic pledged to combat corruption, raise living conditions, and strengthen ties with the European Union and Serbia.
The 37-year-old was backed by groups affiliated with Serbia, Russia, and the Orthodox Church.
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