The departure of Nikola Janović from Montenegro’s Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has intensified concerns over the ruling opposition party’s ability to retain members advocating political integrity and internal reform, analysts said on Friday.
Janović resigned from all party positions on Thursday, submitting a letter to DPS leadership, including party president Danijel Živković, and said he would continue his political career as an independent member of parliament.
Political analyst Nikoleta Đukanović, a lecturer at the University of Donja Gorica, said Janović’s exit was not unexpected. She noted he had publicly highlighted internal party divisions and factional disagreements for months.
“Paradoxically, his political position is now clearer than when he was in DPS,” Đukanović said. “He remains an independent figure seeking to preserve integrity while distancing himself from governance models he previously criticized as problematic.”
She described DPS as a party still burdened by its legacy, limited coalition capacity, and insufficient separation from former leadership, despite formal efforts at restructuring and rejuvenation.
Political scientist Miloš Perović said Janović’s departure underscores a five-year identity and reform crisis within DPS. While he said it was not a critical blow to the party, it confirmed persistent doubts about the depth of internal reforms and highlighted divisions in visions for the party’s future.
“Parties in Montenegro continue to struggle with internal democracy,” Perović added.
Janović Keeps Options Open
Janović did not provide a specific reason for his resignation, saying only that his disagreements with DPS positions had persisted for months, even years.
Asked if he plans to form a new party, Janović said his continued work as an independent opposition MP means “all options are open,” depending on the political environment and opportunities.
DPS spokespersons said they saw nothing controversial in Janović’s departure and wished him well in his political endeavors, comparing it to the previous exit of former DPS leader Duško Marković, who left in June 2024 to found the European Progress Party.
Since losing power in August 2020 after nearly three decades of dominance, DPS has seen several high-profile resignations, including former party vice-president Sanja Damjanović and MP Drita Lola, both citing disagreements with party leadership.
Impact on DPS
Đukanović said Janović’s resignation was unlikely to significantly affect DPS support levels, as past departures had minimal impact.
“Symbolically, however, it is important,” she said, noting that Janović was one of the few party figures consistently critical of internal practices, giving DPS a perception of pluralism.
Perović described Janović’s move as a demonstration of political courage and independent, principled action, though he said it remains to be seen how it will influence Montenegro’s political landscape or attract other dissatisfied members.
Janović’s public record of integrity and consistency has earned him political capital, particularly among younger, urban, reform-minded voters, Đukanović said. Should he form a new party, it would likely attract former and current DPS members seeking a break from past governance and corruption.
Gordan Stojović, an MP from the governing Europe Now Movement, said Janović’s departure marked a blow that DPS could no longer conceal. He described it as a sign of a party increasingly struggling under internal weaknesses, unresolved scandals, and lack of self-criticism.
Janović, a former Montenegrin national water polo captain and sports minister, has long criticized DPS policies and practices, including their approach as an opposition party. Though speculated to be a potential candidate for party leadership after Milo Đukanović stepped down in 2023, Janović did not run.
“Substantive reforms within DPS have been missing,” Perović said. “Instead, changes have been more personal than systemic, failing to break from past clientelism and governance models. DPS continues to be viewed as an undesirable coalition partner.”
Đukanović added that Janović’s presence previously offered the party a semblance of internal debate and accountability, now lost with his departure, emphasizing the party’s continuing structural weaknesses.