Popular Movement (Montenegro)
The Popular Movement of Montenegro, commonly known as simply Popular Movement, is a conservative regionalist political party in Montenegro, formed in February 2021 from the political alliance of the same name. The alliance, which was formed back in May 2020 prior to the August parliamentary election, ran within the common opposition "For the Future of Montenegro" list. The party also seeks to represent Serb ethnic interests. Party founder and current leader is Montenegrin-Serbian businessman Miodrag "Daka" Davidović, who is known as a great benefactor of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a longtime financier of the Montenegrin opposition during the a thirty-year long DPS-led regime in Montenegro. NP has no seats in the national parliament and is yet to contest the elections, its currently operating regionally within the country's second-largest municipality of Nikšić and its surrounding areas.
History
Political alliance
In July 2020 United Montenegro, Workers' Party and Independent group in the parliament, agreed to form a new cultural conservative political alliance under the name Popular Movement, continuing its activity within the joint coalition with Democratic Front, Socialist People's Party and the True Montenegro. During July 2020, Popular Movement was joined by another minor right-wing parties, such as Democratic Party of Unity and Democratic Serb Party. The newly founded coalition initiator and de facto leader is controversial Belgrade-based Montenegrin businessman Miodrag Davidović.| Election | List | % of vote | Seats |
| July 2020 | - | New | |
| Aug 2020 | ZBCG | 2 |
On 2 August 2020, the Popular Movement officially decided to enter the common opposition electoral list with Democratic Front and the SNP, in order to participate at the forthcoming parliamentary election, forming big tent "For the Future of Montenegro" pre-election coalition. At the joint electoral list, NP leading candidate was United Montenegro member Vladimir Dobričanin, by holding seventh position on the list, their other candidate was Maksim Vučinić, leader of the Workers' Party, who hold only the twenty-seventh place on common electoral list. The founding members in July 2020 were:
- United Montenegro, national and cultural conservative party
- Non-partisans, moderate conservative
- Workers' Party, socially conservative and left-populist party
- Democratic Serb Party, conservative Christian democratic party
- Democratic Party of Unity, national conservative party
The August 2020 election resulted in a victory for the opposition parties and the fall from power of the ruling DPS, which has ruled the country since the introduction of the multi-party system in 1990. Dobričanin and Vučinić both was elected to the Parliament, after the coalition won 32.55% of popular vote and 27 seats in the parliament, while Montenegrin professor close to Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro and Davidović's alliance, Zdravko Krivokapić was selected new prime minister-designate of Montenegro by the new parliamentary majority in September 2020, announcing economical reforms, fight against corruption, as well as withdrawal of the disputed law on religious communities. During October and November, Davidović repeatedly stated that the leaders of the populist Democratic Front were trying to obstruct the political agreement on forming a new government, by unfoundedly accusing him and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro of influencing Prime Minister-designate Krivokapić decisions and the composition of the new cabinet of the Government of Montenegro. He told the media that the Democratic Front would not succeed in that because, as he said, "the prime minister-designate has the support of the people of Montenegro."