Jakov Milatović

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Jakov Milatović

| native_name = {{Nobold|Јаков Милатовић}}

| native_name_lang = cnr

| image = Jakov Milatović in 2024 MGR2967 ((cropped).jpg

| caption = Milatović in 2024

| office = 3rd President of Montenegro

| primeminister = {{ubl|Dritan Abazović|Milojko Spajić}}

| term_start = 20 May 2023

| term_end =

| predecessor = Milo Đukanović

| successor =

| office1 = Minister of Economic Development

| primeminister1 = Zdravko Krivokapić

| term_start1 = 4 December 2020

| term_end1 = 28 April 2022

| predecessor1 = Dragica Sekulić

| successor1 = Goran Đurović

{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Additional positions

| cont = yes

| titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| embed = yes

| office2 = Member of the City Assembly of Podgorica

| term_start2 = 12 April 2023

| term_end2 = 11 May 2023

}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|12|07|df=y}}

| birth_place = Titograd, SR Montenegro, Yugoslavia

| party = Independent (before 2022, since 2024)

| otherparty = Europe Now! (2022–2024)

| spouse = Milena Milatović

| children = 3

| occupation = Politician • Economist

| education = {{plainlist|

}}

| website =

| signature = Jakov milatovic signature.svg

}}

Jakov Milatović ({{Lang-cnr-Cyrl|Јаков Милатовић}}, {{IPA|sh|jakoʋ mǐlatoʋitɕ|pron|}}; born 7 December 1986) is a Montenegrin politician and economist who is the incumbent president of Montenegro, serving since May 2023. He previously served as the minister of economic development in the cabinet of Zdravko Krivokapić from 2020 to 2022, and as an economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London and Podgorica.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2020 |title=Ko je Jakov Milatović kandidat za ministra za ekonomski razvoj |trans-title=Who is Jakov Milatović, the candidate for Minister of Economic Development |url=https://bizniscg.me/2020/11/05/ko-je-jakov-milatovic-kandidat-za-ministra-za-ekonomski-razvoj/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120070452/https://bizniscg.me/2020/11/05/ko-je-jakov-milatovic-kandidat-za-ministra-za-ekonomski-razvoj/ |archive-date=20 November 2020 |access-date=22 December 2020 |website=Biznis CG |language=cnr}} He was a co-founder and until 24 February 2024 the deputy leader of Europe Now!, a liberal and pro-European political party that is the largest single party in the Montenegrin parliament.

Taking office in a landslide presidential election at the age of 36, Milatović is the youngest person to hold the office of president in independent Montenegro, as well as the world's sixth-youngest serving state leader. He is the third president of Montenegro since the country's independence in 2006. He has made improving living standards, tackling corruption, and the accession of Montenegro to the European Union by 2028 his central issues.{{Cite news |last=Dunai |first=Marton |date=2023-05-28 |title=Montenegro's young guard aims to speed up EU accession |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d18f3ec1-81b8-4bac-a54c-5b8e3c261434 |access-date=2023-07-07}}{{Cite news |last=Vasovic |first=Aleksandar |date=2023-04-02 |title=Montenegro's ex-economy minister Milatovic declares victory in presidential run-off |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/montenegro-holds-run-off-presidential-election-2023-04-02/ |access-date=2023-07-07}}

Early life and education

Milatović was born on 7 December 1986{{Cite web |date=20 December 2021 |title=Kako je, još na maturi, predskazana budućnost ministra Jakova Milatovića |trans-title=How the future of Minister Jakov Milatović was predicted at the graduation ceremony |url=https://www.dan.co.me/zabava/kako-je-jos-na-maturi-predskazana-buduc-nost-ministra-jakova-milatovic-a-5098579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321185309/https://www.dan.co.me/zabava/kako-je-jos-na-maturi-predskazana-buduc-nost-ministra-jakova-milatovic-a-5098579 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |access-date=21 March 2023}} in Titograd, SR Montenegro, SFR Yugoslavia, where he graduated elementary and secondary school Gymnasium "Slobodan Škerović". In 2005, he wrote in his high school yearbook his ambition to become the president of Montenegro within ten years. His grandfather and great-grandfather fought in World War II as members of the Yugoslav Partisans.{{Cite web |title=Jakov Milatović: Glasao sam za nezavisnost Crne Gore 2006. godine! |trans-title=Jakov Milatović: I voted for the independence of Montenegro in 2006! |url=https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/politika/4044598/jakov-milatovic-glasao-sam-za-nezavisnost-crne-gore-2006-godine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319145319/https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/politika/4044598/jakov-milatovic-glasao-sam-za-nezavisnost-crne-gore-2006-godine |archive-date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=kurir.rs |language=sr}} His great-grandfather had also participated in World War I and had fought in the Battle of Mojkovac in 1916.{{Cite web |last=Dedeić |first=Siniša |date=2023-03-20 |title=Ko je Jakov Milatović koji tvrdi da će "Mila poslati u penziju"? |trans-title=Who is Jakov Milatović who claims that he will "send Milo into retirement"? |url=https://www.istinomer.rs/analize/ko-je-jakov-milatovic-koji-tvrdi-da-ce-mila-poslati-u-penziju/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Istinomer |language=sr-RS}} His father was a unionist and one of the founders of the Socialist People's Party (SNP).{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=Glasao Sam Demokrate: Milatović otkrio i da mu je otac jedan od osnivača SNP-a |trans-title=I Vvoted Democrats: Milatović also revealed that his father was one of the founders of the SNP |url=https://region.alo.rs/crna-gora/vesti/43183/glasao-sam-demokrate-milatovic-otkrio-i-da-mu-je-otac-jedan-od-osnivaca-snp-a/vest |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=Region.alo |language=sr}} Milatović claimed his father couldn't find employment due to his opposition to the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).

He completed his undergraduate studies in the field of economics at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Montenegro. He then spent one academic year at Illinois State University as US Fellow; one semester at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien) as Government of Austria Fellow; and one academic year at the Sapienza University of Rome (La Sapienza) as EU Fellow. Milatović completed his MPhil in economics at St John's College, Oxford. He was a British Government Chevening Scholarship Fellow. He was also a fellow of the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation.{{Cite web |title=Biografija Predloženih Ministara |trans-title=Biography of Proposed Ministers |url=https://www.dan.co.me/?nivo=3&rubrika=Politika&clanak=766671&datum=2020-11-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113091907/https://www.dan.co.me/?nivo=3&rubrika=Politika&clanak=766671&datum=2020-11-06 |archive-date=13 November 2020 |access-date=14 November 2020 |website=www.dan.co.me}} Besides his native Serbian,{{Cite web |title=Милатовић: Изјаснићу се као Црногорац који говори српским језиком |url=https://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/582894/Milatovic-Izjasnicu-se-kao-Crnogorac-koji-govori-srpskim-jezikom |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Politika Online}} Milatović is fluent in English, and speaks Italian and Spanish.{{Cite web |title=Jakov Milatovic |url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jakov-milatovic-8a332417?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=LinkedIn}}{{cite web | title=Milatović: Izjasniću se kao Crnogorac koji govori srpskim jezikom | website=Politika Online | date=2023-11-08 | url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/582894/Milatovic-Izjasnicu-se-kao-Crnogorac-koji-govori-srpskim-jezikom | language=sr | access-date=2023-11-09}}

Economics career

Milatović worked at NLB Group Podgorica, and Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt. In 2014, he joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the team for economic and political analysis. In 2019, he was promoted to the principal economist for the EU countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, and was based at the Bank's office in Bucharest.{{Cite web |title=Ovo su biografije kandidata za nove ministre |trans-title=These are the biographies of the candidates for the new ministers |url=https://www.vijesti.me/tv/emisije/483841/ovo-su-biografije-kandidata-za-nove-ministre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105192442/https://www.vijesti.me/tv/emisije/483841/ovo-su-biografije-kandidata-za-nove-ministre |archive-date=5 November 2020 |access-date=22 December 2020 |website=vijesti.me}} He has published a number of articles and co-authored two books.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-02 |title=Biografija Jakova Milatovića |trans-title=Biography of Jakov Milatović |url=https://www.dan.co.me/vijesti/izbori/biografija-jakova-milatovica-5170439 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=www.dan.co.me}}

Political career

= Minister of Economic Development (2020–2022) =

He served as the minister of economic development in the Krivokapić Cabinet from 4 December 2020 to 28 April 2022.{{Cite web |title=Izabrana 42. Vlada Crne Gore |trans-title=42nd Government of Montenegro was elected |url=https://www.gov.me/clanak/236847-izabrana-42-vlada-crne-gore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023203359/https://www.gov.me/clanak/236847-izabrana-42-vlada-crne-gore |archive-date=23 October 2022 |access-date=23 October 2022}} During his term, Milatović and finance minister Milojko Spajić presented and implemented the controversial "Europe now" economic reform program.{{Cite web |title=Spajić, Milatović: Čvrsto stojimo iza programa Evropa sad! onako kako ga je Vlada predložila |trans-title=Spajić, Milatović: We firmly stand behind the program Europe now! as proposed by the Government |url=https://www.gov.me/clanak/spajic-milatovic-cvrsto-stojimo-iza-programa-evropa-sad-onako-kako-ga-je-vlada-predlozila |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023203427/https://www.gov.me/clanak/spajic-milatovic-cvrsto-stojimo-iza-programa-evropa-sad-onako-kako-ga-je-vlada-predlozila |archive-date=23 October 2022 |access-date=23 October 2022}} The reform program aimed to increase the minimum wage, reduce taxes and social contributions, attract foreign investment, and accelerate Montenegro's integration into the European Union. The program was popular among the public and boosted the public approval of Milatović and Spajić.{{Cite news |last=Durović |first=Aneta |date=2022-10-25 |title=Tajna izbornog uspjeha Pokreta Evropa sad u Crnoj Gori |language=sh |trans-title=The secret of the electoral success of the Europe Now Movement in Montenegro |work=Radio Slobodna Evropa |url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/crna-gora-izbori-pokret-evropa-sad/32100030.html |access-date=2023-05-24}}

= Europe Now! and 2022 local elections =

In 2022, Milatović and Spajić founded the Europe Now political party, with Spajić as president and Milatović as deputy president. It participated in the 2022 local elections,{{Cite web |title="Evropa sad" izlazi na lokalne izbore, misija Pokreta: Prosječna plata 1.000 eura, minimalna penzija 450 eura, bez nezaposlenih... |trans-title="Europe now" goes to local elections, the mission of the Movement: Average salary 1,000 euros, minimum pension 450 euros, no unemployed... |url=https://www.pobjeda.me/clanak/spajic-i-milartovic-predstavljaju-pokret-evropa-sad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628201422/https://www.pobjeda.me/clanak/spajic-i-milartovic-predstavljaju-pokret-evropa-sad |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=Pobjeda}} with Milatović heading the organizations electoral list in Podgorica as its mayoral candidate.{{Cite web |title=Lokalni izbori u Crnoj Gori: DPS bez apsolutne većine u Podgorici, uspon pokreta "Evropa sad" |trans-title=Local elections in Montenegro: DPS without an absolute majority in Podgorica, the rise of the "Europe Now" movement |url=https://www.glasamerike.net/a/6801595.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023060735/https://www.glasamerike.net/a/6801595.html |archive-date=23 October 2022 |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=Glas Amerike |date=23 October 2022 |language=sr}} The list won 21.7% of the popular vote and Milatović was expected to become the mayor of Podgorica.{{Cite web |date=23 October 2022 |title=Objavljeni konačni rezultati izbora u Podgorici: Opozicija potukla Mila Đukanovića |trans-title=The final results of the election in Podgorica have been announced: the opposition beat Milo Đukanović |url=https://nova.rs/vesti/svet/kljucna-borba-u-crnoj-gori-milov-dsp-juri-pobedu-na-lokalu-ukradena-glasacka-kutija-u-podgorici/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404134857/https://nova.rs/vesti/svet/kljucna-borba-u-crnoj-gori-milov-dsp-juri-pobedu-na-lokalu-ukradena-glasacka-kutija-u-podgorici/ |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Nova portal |language=sr-RS}}

= 2023 presidential campaign =

In March 2023, Milatović ran as a replacement candidate of Europe Now in the 2023 Montenegrin presidential election after Spajić's candidacy was rejected by the State Electoral Commission (DIK) as it was discovered that he is a dual citizen of Serbia and Montenegro.{{Cite web |last=Milićević |first=Nenad |date=23 February 2023 |title="Evropa sad" umesto Spajića kandiduje Jakova Milatovića za predsednika Crne Gore |trans-title="Europe Now" instead of Spajić is running Jakov Milatović for the President of Montenegro |url=https://n1info.rs/region/evropa-sad-umesto-spajica-kandiduje-jakova-milatovica-za-predsednika-crne-gore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404134858/https://n1info.rs/region/evropa-sad-umesto-spajica-kandiduje-jakova-milatovica-za-predsednika-crne-gore/ |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=N1 |language=sr-RS}} He was elected president following his landslide victory against the incumbent president Milo Đukanović in the run-off on 2 April 2023.{{Cite web |last=Gedošević |first=Lana |title=Jakov Milatović Ubedljiv Obrađeno 90 odsto glasova, brojke za Mila Đukanovića Nedostižne |trans-title=Jakov Milatović Convincing 90 percent of votes processed, numbers for Milo Đukanović Unachievable |url=https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/preliminarni-rezultati-izbora-u-crnoj-gori-jakov-milatovic-osvojio-576-odsto/3kjns4c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402192855/https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/preliminarni-rezultati-izbora-u-crnoj-gori-jakov-milatovic-osvojio-576-odsto/3kjns4c |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Blic.rs |date=2 April 2023 |language=sr}} Milatović won 58.88% of the popular vote.{{Cite web |title=DIK utvrdio rezultate: Milatoviću 58,88 odsto glasova, Đukanoviću 41,12 odsto |trans-title=DIK determined the results: Milatović got 58.88 percent of the votes, Đukanović got 41.12 percent |url=http://www.antenam.net/predsjednickiizbori2023/282173-dik-utvrdio-rezultate-milatovicu-58-88-odsto-glasova-djukanovicu-41-12-odsto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405015438/https://www.antenam.net/predsjednickiizbori2023/282173-dik-utvrdio-rezultate-milatovicu-58-88-odsto-glasova-djukanovicu-41-12-odsto |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Antena M |date=3 April 2023 |language=cnr}} He stated that his first foreign visit will be to Brussels.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Milatović: Cilj je pomirena Crna Gora, prvo ću posjetiti Brisel, nema saradnje sa DPS-om |trans-title=Milatović: The goal is a reconciled Montenegro, I will visit Brussels first, there is no cooperation with DPS |url=https://www.dan.co.me/vijesti/izbori/milatovic-ocekivao-sam-pobjedu-juce-je-bio-praznik-demokratije-u-crnoj-gori-5170628 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=www.dan.co.me}}

= Presidency (2023–present) =

File:Jakov Milatović and Olivér Várhelyi.jpg, 30 May 2023]]

File:Ursula von der Leyen and Jakov Milatović.jpg, 31 October 2023]]

Milatović was sworn in on 20 May 2023 in the Parliament of Montenegro in Podgorica instead of the traditional inauguration place of Cetinje.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-15 |title=Presedan zbog ugrožene bezbednosti: Milatović se umesto na Cetinju zaklinje u ovom gradu |trans-title=Precedent due to threatened security: Milatović swears in this city instead of in Cetinje |url=https://nova.rs/vesti/svet/presedan-zbog-ugrozene-bezbednosti-milatovic-se-umesto-na-cetinju-zaklinje-u-ovom-gradu/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Nova portal |language=sr-RS}} His inauguration was attended by numerous Balkan leaders such as Aleksandar Vučić, Zoran Milanović, Željko Komšić, Željka Cvijanović, Denis Bećirović, Vjosa Osmani, Bajram Begaj, and Galab Donev.{{Cite web |title=Milatović polaže zakletvu u podne: Vučić stigao u Podgoricu |trans-title=Milatović takes the oath at noon: Vučić arrived in Podgorica |url=https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/657353/milatovic-polaze-zakletvu-u-podne-vucic-stigao-u-podgoricu |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=vijesti.me |language=cnr}} Milatović was also congratulated by Pope Francis.{{Cite web |title=Papa Franjo čestitao Milatoviću početak mandata |trans-title=Pope Francis congratulated Milatović on the beginning of his mandate |url=https://www.rtcg.me/vijesti/politika/429339/papa-franjo-cestitao-milatovicu-pocetak-mandata.html |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=Radio Televizija Crne Gore - Nacionalni javni servis}}

In June 2023, Milatović stated he expected Montenegro to join the European Union by 2027 or 2028.{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Potrebni novi izbori na severu Kosova i uspostavljanje ZSO |trans-title=Milatović: New elections are needed in the north of Kosovo and the establishment of the ZSO |url=https://www.kosovo-online.com/vesti/politika/milatovic-potrebni-novi-izbori-na-severu-kosova-i-uspostavljanje-zso-11-6-2023 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Kosovo Online}} In August 2023, he met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Athens, stating that Montenegro "openly and strongly condemns Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine."{{Cite web |title=Milatović poručio Zelenskom: Ukrajina će u Crnoj Gori uvek imati prijatelja |trans-title=Milatović told Zelenskyy: Ukraine will always have a friend in Montenegro |url=https://www.tanjug.rs/region/politika/46603/milatovic-porucio-zelenskom-ukrajina-ce-u-crnoj-gori-uvek-imati-prijatelja/vest |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Tanjug}}

On 28 August 2023, Milatović said that the "winning energy" after his presidential election had been "shattered" by the disagreements over the new government formation, appealing to the prime minister-designate Spajič and everyone participating in the consultations on the formation of the new government to make the process "more transparent and in accordance with the electoral will".{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Pobjednička energija se razbila |trans-title=Milatović: The winning energy has been shattered |url=https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/671281/milatovic-pobjednicka-energija-se-razbila |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=vijesti.me |language=cnr}}

On 24 February 2024, Milatović announced he would be leaving PES!, following a split with Spajić.{{Cite news |date=24 February 2024 |title=Milatović dao ostavku na sve funkcije u Pokretu Evropa sad |url=https://www.danas.rs/svet/region/vijesti-milatovic-dao-ostavku-na-sve-funkcije-u-pokretu-evropa-sad/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2024-02-24-Jakov-Milatovi- }}

Political positions

His political positions have been described as centrist,{{Cite news |date=3 April 2023 |title=Montenegro elections: Long-standing leader Milo Djukanovic suffers defeat |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65158643 |url-status=live |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403045012/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65158643 |archive-date=3 April 2023}}{{Cite web |title=RTS :: Region :: Đukanović ili Milatović – da li će dijaspora odlučiti izbore |trans-title=RTS :: Region :: Đukanović or Milatović - will the diaspora decide the elections |url=https://www.rts.rs/lat/vesti/region/5162847/djukanovic-ili-milatovic--da-li-ce-dijaspora-da-odluci-izbore.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403181438/https://www.rts.rs/lat/vesti/region/5162847/djukanovic-ili-milatovic--da-li-ce-dijaspora-da-odluci-izbore.html |archive-date=3 April 2023 |access-date=3 April 2023 |website=rts.rs}} while some describe him as a populist.{{Cite web |last=Standard |date=2023-03-20 |title=Gjenero: Milatović nije bezazlen i pristojan, već populista kojeg je stvorila SPC |trans-title=Gjenero: Milatović is not harmless and decent, but a populist created by the SPC |url=https://www.standard.co.me/politika/gjenero-milatovic-nije-bezazlen-i-pristojan-vec-populista-kojeg-je-stvorila-spc/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Standard |language=bs-BA}}{{Cite web |title=Litijaš i desni populista Jakov Milatović nije građanski, nego u osnovi većinski kandidat kleronacionalista |trans-title=Litijaš and right-wing populist Jakov Milatović is not a citizen, but basically the majority candidate of the clero-nationalists |url=https://www.portalanalitika.me/clanak/litijas-i-desni-populista-jakov-milatovic-nije-gradanski-nego-u-osnovi-vecinski-kandidat-kleronacionalista |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Portal Analitika}}{{Cite web |last=Aktuelno |date=2023-04-02 |title=Otvorena Vrata Srpskog Sveta: Populista Jakov Milatović novi je predsjednik Crne Gore |trans-title=Open Doors of the "Serbian World": Populist Jakov Milatović is the new president of Montenegro |url=https://www.aktuelno.me/politika/otvorena-vrata-srpskog-sveta-populista-jakov-milatovic-novi-je-predsjednik-crne-gore/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Aktuelno |language=bs-BA}} Milatović voted for the independence of Montenegro at the 2006 independence referendum. Prior to entering politics he voted for SNP, Democratic Montenegro and the For the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) coalition.

= Foreign policy =

Milatović supports the accession of Montenegro to the European Union.{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Uvešću Crnu Goru u EU, a sjever Crne Gore preporoditi |trans-title=Milatović: I will bring Montenegro into the EU, and the north of Montenegro will be reborn |url=https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/647882/milatovic-uvescu-crnu-goru-u-eu-a-sjever-crne-gore-preporoditi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319145511/https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/647882/milatovic-uvescu-crnu-goru-u-eu-a-sjever-crne-gore-preporoditi |archive-date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=vijesti.me |language=cnr}} He advocates closer relations between Montenegro and Serbia.{{Cite web |last=Đurić |first=Novica |title=Srbija je za Crnu Goru više od ekonomije |trans-title=For Montenegro, Serbia is more than the economy |url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/488469/Srbija-je-za-Crnu-Goru-vise-od-ekonomije |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319150810/https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/488469/Srbija-je-za-Crnu-Goru-vise-od-ekonomije |archive-date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=Politika Online}}{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Decu sam krstio u SPC |trans-title=Milatović: I baptized my children in SPC |url=https://direktno.rs/politika/461666/jakov-milatovic-o-scp-deca.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324233139/https://direktno.rs/politika/461666/jakov-milatovic-o-scp-deca.html |archive-date=24 March 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=Direktno |language=sr}}{{Cite web |last=Pašić |first=Danijela |date=2023-04-20 |title=Milatović: Prijateljski sa Vučićem, bolje u Otvoreni, nego u zatvoreni Balkan |trans-title=Milatović: Friendly with Vučić, better in the Open than in the closed Balkans |url=https://n1info.rs/region/milatovic-prijateljski-sa-vucicem-bolje-u-otvoreni-nego-u-zatvoreni-balkan/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=N1 |language=sr-RS}} He supports sanctioning Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, which he considers an act of aggression.{{Cite web |title=Jakov Milatović: Rusija je izvršila agresiju na Ukrajinu, Crna Gora će se u potpunosti držati političkog kursa EU |trans-title=Jakov Milatović: Russia has committed aggression against Ukraine, Montenegro will fully adhere to the political course of the EU |url=https://www.politika.rs/scc/clanak/546307/jakov-milatovic-crna-gora-eu-sankcije-ukrajina-rusija |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=Politika Online}} Milatović called the proposals of Montenegro revoking the recognition of Kosovo's independence unrealistic, stating that Kosovo is an internationally recognized country.{{Cite web |last=Nikolić |first=Mirjana |date=2023-04-05 |title=Milatović: Crna Gora još snažnije prema EU, Kosovo je završena priča |trans-title=Milatović: Montenegro even more strongly towards the EU, Kosovo is the end of the story |url=https://n1info.rs/region/milatovic-crna-gora-jos-snaznije-prema-eu-kosovo-je-zavrsena-prica/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=N1 |language=sr-RS}} He stated that he agrees with the International Court of Justice's verdict on the Srebrenica genocide.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-07 |title=Milatović o Srebrenici: Moja pozicija je vrlo jasna |trans-title=Milatović on Srebrenica: My position is very clear |url=https://balkans.aljazeera.net/videos/2023/4/7/milatovic-o-srebrenici-moja-pozicija-je-vrlo-jasna |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Aljazeera}} He supports the Open Balkan initiative.{{Cite web |title=Milatović: Mislim da bi Crna Gora trebalo da bude dio Otvorenog Balkana |trans-title=Milatović: I think that Montenegro should be part of Open Balkan |url=https://www.cdm.me/politika/milatovic-mislim-da-bi-crna-gora-trebalo-da-bude-dio-otvorenog-balkana/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=cdm}}

Personal life

Milatović is married to Milena Milatović. They have three children together.{{cite web | last=Heil | first=Andy | title=Jakov Milatovic, The Man Who Unseated Montenegro's Longtime Leader | website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty | date=2023-04-01 | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-milatovic-election-profile-djukanovic-vote/32344969.html | access-date=2023-11-09}}{{cite web | last=Matijašević | first=Biljana | title=Milatović: Crna Gora može biti uspješna priča i "svjetlo na kraju tunela" za države regiona i zemlje kandidate | website=vijesti.me | date=2023-07-18 | url=https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/665883/milatovic-crna-gora-moze-biti-uspjesna-prica-i-svjetlo-na-kraju-tunela-za-drzave-regiona-i-zemlje-kandidate | language=cnr | access-date=2023-11-09}} He is a Serbian Orthodox Christian and was baptized in the Ostrog Monastery, however he considers his religious views a private matter.{{cite web |title=Milatović: DF nije isto što i DPS, Đukanović otjerao dijasporu iz Crne Gore | website=ДАН - Naslovna | date=2023-03-23 | url=https://www.dan.co.me/vijesti/politika/milatovic-vjerujem-u-veliku-zajednicku-pobjedu-5168577 | language=bs | access-date=2023-11-09}} He identifies himself as a Montenegrin by ethnicity, and speaks Serbian.{{Cite web |title=Ovo Je Novi Predsednik Crne Gore – Jakov Milatović je pobedio Mila Đukanovića: Crnogorac i pravoslavac, otac troje dece |trans-title=This Is The New President of Montenegro – Jakov Milatović defeated Milo Đukanović: Montenegrin and Orthodox, father of three children|url=https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/evo-ko-je-jakov-milatovic-biografija-novog-predsednika-crne-gore/7t05ntc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402192901/https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/evo-ko-je-jakov-milatovic-biografija-novog-predsednika-crne-gore/7t05ntc |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Blic.rs |date=31 March 2023 |language=sr}}{{cite web | title=Milatović: Ja sam etnički Crnogorac, na popisu ljudi da se slobodno izjasne | website= Naslovna | date=2023-10-07 | url=https://www.dan.co.me/vijesti/politika/milatovic-ja-sam-etnicki-crnogorac-na-popisu-ljudi-da-se-slobodno-izjasne-5201687 | language=bs | access-date=2023-10-12}}{{cite web | title=Izjasniću se kao Crnogorac, govorim srpskim jezikom | website=Radio Televizija Crne Gore - Nacionalni javni servis | url=https://rtcg.me/vijesti/politika/485329/izjasnicu-se-kao-crnogorac-govorim-srpskim-jezikom.html | language=bs | access-date=2023-11-09}}

Honours

=Foreign honours=

{{flag|Italy}}: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (18 February 2025)https://predsjednik.me/en/press/article/predsjednik-republike-italije-serdo-matarela-boravi-u-zvanicnoj-posjeti-crnoj-gori-na-poziv-predsjednika-drzave-jakova-milatovica/