Garčević Comments on Montenegrin Presidential Elections
In preparation for the upcoming runoff, Ambassador Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of International Relations at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, offered his thoughts in Radio Free Europe (RFE) on the latest developments in Montenegro’s national elections.
The article, titled “On Europe and the West, Montenegro’s Presidential Challenger Talks a Good Game. But Is He the Real Deal?,” centers on the struggle between the incumbent, Milo Djukanovic, and the challenger, Jakov Milatovic, who is the face of Montenegro’s newest political party, the Europe Now! movement. Europe Now! has resounded with the Montenegrin public over the past few months, tapping into common frustrations with the political system, but experts are concerned that the party will be weak on issues of substance, especially given Montenegro’s strained inter-European relations. Despite the obstacles it may face, Garčević believes that this political party is indicative of the change desired in Montenegro, saying:
“The fact that the candidate of a nonparliamentary party, formed just several months ago, won almost 30 percent of popular support and is likely to win the presidential election in Montenegro speaks about how much citizens need new policies and new political actors.”
Read the full article here.
Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years during his diplomatic career. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about Ambassador Garčević on his faculty profile.