From Yugoslavia to Independence
In the Yugoslav State (1918–2003)
After World War I, Montenegro was united with the Kingdom of Serbia in 1918 — against the will of many Montenegrins. King Nikola went into exile in France, where he died in 1921. The Montenegrins were deeply divided: The "Whites" (Bjelaši) wanted to preserve independence, while the "Greens" (Zelenaši) supported the union with Serbia.
During World War II, Montenegro was the scene of fierce fighting between German and Italian occupiers, partisans, Chetniks, and Ustashe. Podgorica was bombed 70 times and almost completely destroyed. After the war, Montenegro became one of the six constituent republics of Yugoslavia under Tito. The socialist era brought industrialization, education, and infrastructure — but also political repression.
The 1990s
When Yugoslavia disintegrated in the 1990s, Montenegro initially remained in a state union with Serbia (from 2003: "Serbia and Montenegro"). During the Yugoslav wars, Montenegro was not directly a theater of war, but the economic sanctions and the NATO bombing in 1999 (against Serbia-Montenegro) hit the country hard. Podgorica was bombed again.
Independence (2006)
On May 21, 2006, 55.5% of Montenegrins voted for independence in a referendum — just above the required 55% threshold. On June 3, 2006, Montenegro became Europe's youngest state. Since then, the country has made significant progress:
- 2010: EU candidate country
- 2017: NATO member
- Euro as currency (unilaterally introduced, without ECB membership)
- Growing tourism as the most important economic sector
The EU accession process is ongoing, but reforms in justice and the rule of law remain challenges. Montenegro is a country in transition — between tradition and modernity, between the Balkans and Western Europe, between mountains and sea.
