Montenegro’s Political Approval Landscape: A Deepening Divide

As Montenegro navigates a new era following the fall of the long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), public trust in the country’s leadership remains fragile. The Europe Now movement, which rose to power in 2023 promising economic reform, judicial accountability and Euro-Atlantic integration, now governs amid political instability, coalition tensions and societal discontent. Our new polling from June 2025 reveals a nation divided in its attitudes toward Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, President Jakov Milatović and the broader government and opposition alike. Although approval among core party bases has largely held, discontent is rising, particularly among younger voters and the politically undecided, indicating that no political actor has yet consolidated the trust of a broad national majority.

Mixed Confidence in Spajić and Milatović

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, a leading figure in the Europe Now movement, continues to project a reformist agenda. Since March 2025, his overall approval rating has risen from 35% to 40%, with an increase in strong approval (from 13% to 15%). However, disapproval has also surged from 31% to 41% with the share of voters who strongly disapprove almost doubling to 25%. This polarisation reflects both the high expectations set during the 2023 campaign and mounting frustration over slow progress on economic and institutional reforms.

President Jakov Milatović, also from Europe Now and elected in 2023 on a centrist and technocratic platform, has seen a similar trajectory. His approval climbed from 28% in March to 37% in June but so did his disapproval, from 30% to 41%, with over a quarter (26%) now strongly disapproving. A significant 22% remain undecided on Milatović, suggesting that while he retains some goodwill as a relatively new political figure, the public remains cautious amid ongoing governmental challenges.

Party Leaders Struggle to Build Momentum

In opposition, no party leader appears poised to capitalise on public dissatisfaction. Danijel Živković of the DPS commands just 27% approval and faces 45% disapproval (32% strong disapproval). Despite leading the party that once dominated Montenegrin politics, Živković has failed to regain credibility since the DPS’s 2023 defeats. A high share of undecided voters (28%) underlines the lingering identity crisis for the party and its leadership.

Civic Movement URA leader Dritan Abazović fares slightly better with 35% approval (10% strongly, 25% somewhat) against 43% disapproval. His support is concentrated among younger voters but like other leaders, he is hampered by a high disapproval rate and limited appeal beyond his base.

Government Approval: Strong Among Loyalists, Weak Elsewhere

Approval of the current coalition government, led by Europe Now in partnership with Democratic Montenegro and minority parties, remains split. Just 7% of the public strongly approve of its performance and 29% somewhat approve, while a combined 45% disapprove, including 22% who strongly disapprove.

Support is concentrated among Europe Now voters, 66% of whom express approval. The coalition also draws support from partners such as Democratic Montenegro (70% approval), the Socialist People’s Party (94%) and even a segment of the pro-Serbian ZBCG (61%), reflecting the fragile and ideologically broad nature of the current ruling alliance. In contrast, DPS supporters remain overwhelmingly hostile: 80% disapprove, including 62% who do so strongly.

Approval among age groups also varies, with only 32% of 18–24-year-olds expressing support for the government, compared to 44% of those aged 55 and over. This generational gap points to growing frustration among younger voters who may have been more optimistic about Europe Now’s initial promises of reform and transparency.

Weak Faith in the Opposition

Montenegrins express equally limited confidence in the opposition, which appears unable to offer a convincing alternative. Just 5% strongly approve of the parliamentary opposition, with a further 22% somewhat approving. A combined 46% disapprove and 27% are undecided, numbers that reflect the broader political stagnation facing the country.

Among DPS voters, the opposition receives lukewarm support: 33% somewhat approve but a majority (52%) disapprove. Voters for ZBCG, a bloc often at odds with the current government, also express overwhelming disapproval (86%). Notably, criticism is generationally consistent, 45% of 18–24-year-olds and 52% of those over 55 disapprove of the opposition, indicating that dissatisfaction transcends age and partisanship.

Montenegro’s political approval landscape reflects the growing pains of a country in transition. While Prime Minister Spajić and President Milatović have made modest gains in approval since March, these are offset by rising discontent and deepening polarisation. Support for the government remains dependent on its party base and coalition allies, while the opposition fails to inspire confidence or offer a credible vision for change.

The electorate remains volatile, fractured by age, party loyalty and disillusionment. Europe Now may have ended the era of DPS dominance but it has yet to deliver the stability and reform that many voters hoped for. As Montenegro continues to face EU accession pressures, economic challenges and social tensions, its leaders must reckon with a public increasingly impatient for results and unconvinced by either governing or opposition blocs. The question now is not just who governs Montenegro but who can truly regain the public’s trust.

Download the data tables for this poll.