Part 4 of 14
President of Montenegro
Constitutional status, powers and role in the system of state governance
The President of Montenegro occupies a special place in the system of state authority, serving as head of state and representing Montenegro domestically and on the international stage. According to the Constitution adopted on 19 October 2007, the President formally does not belong to any of the three branches of government (legislative, executive or judicial), which underscores his special status and role as guarantor of state unity and constitutional order. The President's constitutional position is defined by Articles 86–89 of the Constitution of Montenegro.
Election Procedure and Candidate Requirements
The President of Montenegro is elected by general direct elections through secret ballot for a five-year term. The Constitution limits the presidential tenure to two terms.
A presidential candidate must be a Montenegrin citizen registered as a resident in the country for at least 10 of the last 15 years prior to the election day. The candidate must hold active electoral rights. Nomination of candidates is carried out by political parties or citizen groups.
- • Elections are deemed valid if voter turnout exceeds 50% of registered voters
- • To win in the 1st round, a candidate must receive more than 50% of valid votes
- • If no one reaches the required threshold, a 2nd round is held (the two leaders of the first round)
Most Recent Presidential Election (April 2023)
The most recent presidential election took place in April 2023. Its result was the election of Jakov Milatović, a representative of the opposition movement "Europe Now!", as the new president. He defeated the long-standing leader of the country Milo Đukanović, who had held the highest state positions in Montenegro for three decades. Milatović's inauguration marked significant changes in the country's political life.
Powers and Functions of the President
Represents the republic domestically and abroad, receives the credentials of foreign diplomatic representatives, confers state awards and honorary titles, and grants military and diplomatic ranks. Makes official visits, receives heads of foreign states, and participates in international forums.
The right of promulgation of laws — signs them and orders their publication. If the President considers that a law does not conform to the Constitution, he may return it to the Skupština for reconsideration (veto right). However, if the Skupština re-passes the law by a majority vote, the President is obliged to sign it.
After consulting with parties that obtained seats in the Skupština, the President proposes the Prime Minister candidate, who must then be approved by parliament. Appoints diplomatic representatives of Montenegro to other countries and international organisations — on the proposal of the government and after consulting the Skupština Committee on International Relations.
The President of Montenegro is the Supreme Commander of the country's armed forces. Commands them in accordance with the decisions of the Defence and Security Council, which includes the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Skupština. Has the right to declare martial law or a state of emergency if the Skupština is unable to convene.
The President's Relations with Other Branches of Government
The President's relations with the other branches of government are built on the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. The President does not belong to any of the three branches of government, which ensures his neutrality and ability to play the role of arbiter in the event of conflicts between them.
Relations with the Skupština are based on a system of mutual checks and balances. On the one hand, the President has a veto right over laws passed by parliament. On the other — parliament can override the veto through a repeat vote.
In November 2022, parliament passed amendments to the law on the President, restricting his constitutional powers in the area of government formation. Under the new rules, if the President refuses to nominate the candidate proposed by the parliamentary majority, these powers are transferred to the parliamentary majority. The Venice Commission and the EU criticised this mechanism as contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.