Jakov Milatović, the President of Montenegro, has confirmed his affirmative stance towards NATO membership and a pro-European course, continuing the line of his predecessor Milo Đukanović. Despite expectations for change, Milatović has clearly stated that issues such as Kosovo recognition, NATO membership, and sanctions against Russia are settled matters. This position has caused dissatisfaction among parts of the population, especially in Serbian communities where the majority oppose NATO membership. The opposition criticizes him as a continuator of the previous regime and someone who ignores the will of the people and the need for national dialogue. Milatović’s rhetoric on Europeanization is seen as a cover for the absence of substantive changes in foreign policy and democratic processes.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the dissatisfaction among citizens, especially in Serbian communities, with Milatović’s continuation of Đukanović’s pro-NATO and pro-EU policies. They highlight the lack of democratic debate and the ignoring of the majority’s will, portraying Milatović as part of the political establishment that suppresses national dialogue and critical reassessment of controversial decisions.
Center: Centrist perspectives report Milatović’s affirmation of Montenegro’s NATO membership and European integration as a continuation of established foreign policy. They note the political polarization and the challenges in balancing different societal views, presenting Milatović’s stance as pragmatic and consistent with Montenegro’s strategic goals, while acknowledging public dissent.
Right: Right-leaning narratives focus on the criticism from opposition figures who accuse Milatović of deceiving the public and continuing the previous regime’s policies without change. They emphasize the opposition to NATO membership in Serbian areas and frame Milatović’s policies as a betrayal of national interests and identity, calling for reconsideration of Montenegro’s foreign policy direction.
