Montenegro’s pro-European president re-elected

Incumbent Filip Vujanovic claimed victory after Sunday’s (6 April) first presidential elections in Montenegro since the Balkan country declared its independence from Serbia in May 2006, in a vote seen as supportive of Vujanovic’s desire for further EU integration.

Vujanovic won 51.4% of the vote, according to AP, ahead of his pro-Serb challenger Andrija Mandic, who gained 20.4%. Liberal candidate Nebojsa Medojevic received 15.7%. 

Montenegro’s ties with Serbia, in particular in light of Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Belgrade, were the key issues during the campaign. 

Unlike his opponents, Vujanovic, who became president in 2003, favours further integration into the EU over closer relations with Serbia but opposes recognition of Kosovo’s independence for fear of worsening relations with Belgrade. 

Last autumn, Montenegro signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU, which is seen as a stepping stone on the way to EU membership (EURACTIV 16/10/07). The country is expected to present its bid for full membership soon. 

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnick told the Austrian daily Der Standard over the weekend that she expects every Balkan country to be an EU member by 2018. 

Since Montenegro broke away from Serbia, the country’s economy has boomed, with annual economic growth of about 8% and foreign direct investment amounting to $1.6 billion since 2006, putting the country among Europe’s investment hot spots. 

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