Montenegro » Politics

Montenegro follows the principle of division of powers. Its judicial, legislative, and executive branches are independent of each other. The judiciary is self-governing and independent. The declarations of the courts must be in harmony with the Constitution and the laws of Montenegro. Appointment to a judiciary position is permanent.

The parliament appoints the Prime Minister, ministers, and justices of all courts. The president of the Republic is chosen for a episode of five years through direct and secret ballots.

In 1997 elections in Montenegro, Djukanovic became President defeating Milosevic. The Montenegrin government detached itself from Belgrade and criticised Milosevic's strategies and policies and the Serbian army's dealings in Kosovo in 1998-1999. The ruling alliance boycotted the 2000 federal elections, which led to Milosevic's eventual removal from power. His rule came to an unexpected finish on 5 October 2000, following the FRY Presidential elections.

In May 2003, Fillip Vujanovic, a tough advocate of Montenegrin autonomy, was designated Montenegro's president.

In May 2006 a referendum on independence was held which barely passed. On June 3 independence was stated and on June 26 it befitted the 192nd member of the United Nations. In January 2008 Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic resigned to go through a treatment for a rare form of lung cancer. Milo Djukanovic replaced him as a substitute, who already served for four terms as prime minister. He led the power as a prime minister and president over the period of 1991 to 2006 and drove the country towards independence.

Montenegro’s most recent presidential election took place on 6 April 2008, and was the first presidential election seized in the country since it acknowledged itself independent after the 21 May 2006 referendum. Fillip Vujanovic succeeded the presidential election with approximately 51% of the vote.

Fillip Vujanovic competed with four candidates in the elections. The nominees challenging him were Nebojsa Medojevic (Movement for Change; PzP), Andrija Mandic (Serb List; SL) and Srdjan Milic (Socialist People’s Party; SNP), all from opposition parties.