The new Montenegro government, led by economist Milojko Spajic of the Europe Now Movement, will have 19 ministries and 5 deputy prime ministers. It will include the center-right pro-European Democrats, the pro-Serbian Socialist People’s Party, and 5 parties of the Albanian minority.
After months of negotiations, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, finally got his new coalition government approved at the break of dawn on Tuesday.
The just established government, headed by the youthful 36-year-old leader of the centrist party “Europe Now!”, is an uneasy partnership, as it came into existence solely with the backing of a pro-Russian, anti-Western coalition.
In the legislative elections held in Montenegro in June, a newly established political party called “Europe Now!” gained 26% of the vote. The party, which was formed in 2022, campaigned on the platform of Montenegro joining the European Union and pledged to improve wages and pensions and implement economic reforms.
The Importance of Tourism for the Montenegro Economy
Montenegro Tourism accounted for +30% of the GDP and total contribution employment of 31% in 2019.
In 2020, international and domestic tourism receipts amounted to about EUR 159 million, 86% lower than in 2019 according to the National Bank of Montenegro.
The man in charge of tourism is the just appointed Hon. Minister Vladimir Martinović, who is popular among the citizens of Kolasin, as they know him as a hard-working and very honest Mayor. Kolasin is a picture-perfect town in Northern Montenegro.
As a young politician, Martinovic is seen as a visionary and a person with clear ideas about the future development of tourism in his country.
Vladimir Martinović was born in Kolašin.
He finished elementary school and high school in the municipality of Kolašin.
He completed his undergraduate studies in 2012 at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro with an average grade of 8.34.
He completed his specialist studies at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro in Podgorica in 2013, with an average grade of 10, and also completed the School of Democratic Leadership.
During his studies, he was a student representative and a member of the Debate Club of the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro, with which he won numerous awards.
He worked in a law office in Podgorica and has been active in the political scene of Montenegro, covering important socio-political functions.
The Hon. Minister was a member of the Kolašin Municipality Assembly.
He has been the Vice President of Democratic Montenegro since June 14, 2015.
In the parliamentary elections held on August 30, 2020, he was elected as a member of the Parliament of Montenegro.
Parliamentary functions during the 27th convocation of the Parliament of Montenegro included being a member of the Constitutional Committee; the Legislative Committee and Committee for International Relations and Emigrants; and a Deputy Member of the Parliamentary Committee for Stabilization and Association (POSP)
In his new role as the Tourism Minister, he will lead the most important economic sector of this young country.
WTN Chairman Congratulates Hon. Vladimir Martinović
Juergen Steinmetz, Chairman of the World Tourism Network congratulated the minister on his appointment and said:
“WTN is looking forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with the Hon. Minister Vladimir Martinović, and the Director of Tourism Dr. Aleksandra Gardasevic-Slavuljica, who was honored with our Tourism Hero Award. Aleksandra was essential in guiding Montenegrin promotion and tourism recovery.
Montenegro is a full destination member of our young network. The country has demonstrated the great importance it gives to the important role of small and medium-sized travel and tourism businesses for our sector.”
