Dritan Abazovic was born on December 25, 1985 in Ulcinj. He grew up in his hometown, where he completed his primary and secondary education. In high school, he founded the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Youth Group, which focused on youth reconciliation in post-conflict areas of the former Yugoslavia.

In 2004, Abazovic enrolled in the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Sarajevo. He obtained the title of graduate political scientist three years later, completing his four-year faculty in a record time of just two years and seven months. He was the best student of the generation, as well as the winner of the gold medal and gold recognition of the University of Sarajevo. He enrolled for his master’s degree in 2007 at the University of Montenegro, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science. He defended his doctoral thesis in the field of political theory, entitled “Global Politics – Ethical Aspects of Globalization” in 2019 at the Faculty of Political Science in Sarajevo.

He trained as a fellow with Norwegian organizations at the University of Oslo, where he completed his “peace research”. He has also participated in professional programs in America, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain and Luxembourg. He has been a speaker at numerous international conferences and a panelist at some of the most prestigious universities. Among others, at the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the MSU Ilgan Institute of Technology and Social Sciences (College of Arts and Social Sciences, MSU – Ilgan Institute of Technology) in Bilgi (Bilgi University) in Istanbul held a lecture on “Concepts new concept of human security in the political sector”, while at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Montenegro with the subject “Challenges of the global economic crisis”. More recently, he was a lecturer at the London School of Economics (LSE), as well as at the scientific conference “Cognitive and Moral Improvement of Mood” organized by the Center for Bioethical Studies (CBS) with the University of Oxford. In addition, Abazovic has participated in numerous round tables on the European Union, Euro-Atlantic integration etc.

Participation in many schools, seminars and conferences. Graduated from the Regional Academy for Democracy held in Subotica, Zagreb, Durres and Barcelona, ​​as well as from the School for Young Leaders in Politics, Economics, Technology and culture within the Strategic Forum of Bled – Slovenia. He was the top assistant at the Bulgarian School of Politics for the Western Balkan Countries in Sofia. Besides Montenegrin, Abazovic also speaks English and Albanian. He is the author of the book “Cosmopolitan Culture and Global Justice” which was published in 2010. During his career so far, he has published more than ten scientific articles in local and international journals, mainly in the field philosophy and international relations. He has written dozens of opinions for renowned newspapers and media portals, such as: “Vijesti”, “Al Xhazira Balkan” (“Aljazeera”) and “PCNEN”.

FUNCTIONS

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro 2020 –

Chairman of the 2021 High Level Anti-Corruption Council –

President of the Council for the Rights of the Child 2021 –

Head of the Operational Coordination Office 2021 –

Chairman of the Political System Commission 2021 –

Member of Parliament of Montenegro 2012 – 2020

POLITICAL CAREER

Dritan Abazovic got involved quite early in Montenegrin political life. He was the founder of the Montenegrin Positive Civic Political Party in May 2012. In the parliamentary elections of the same year, Positive Montenegro won seven seats in the Montenegrin Parliament. Abazovic was the youngest member of the Montenegrin parliament, followed by one of the most active members of the Assembly. However, in 2014 there was a rift between Abazovic and the party leadership, and he, together with a majority of members, left Positive Montenegro and served as an independent member of the Montenegrin Parliament. In early 2015, he founded the URA, the civic fundamentalist political movement. In the parliamentary elections, which were held in Montenegro in 2016, the URA participated as part of the “Great Coalition – The Key”. Abazovic was re-elected as a member of the Montenegrin Parliament. He recalls his open feuds with MPs and the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists when he demanded the resignation of former Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic due to numerous scandals. At the Congress of the URA movement, held in April 2017, Abazovic was elected president, a position he still holds today. He is the first representative of a minority people elected at the head of a civic party in the history of Montenegrin parliamentary life. He significantly affirmed the party internationally and regionally, although it should be mentioned that one of the most important successes of his political career was the fact that in July 2020, during the European Greens Congress, the URA became the first opposition party in independent Montenegro which entered one of the families of European parties.

In mid-July 2020, the URA introduced the “Black on White” platform to the public, which brought together like-minded individuals and entities such as CIVIS, the Boka Forum and the Justice and Reconciliation Party. This program meant some key points to improve the standard of living of all Montenegrin citizens. Some of these points are: the establishment of the rule of law and the uncompromising fight against corruption and organized crime, the reform of the economic system, the education system and the health system, as well as the protection of the environment and sustainable development. Abazovic was elected holder of the “Black and White” list, which participated in the legislative elections held at the end of August 2020. During the pre-election campaign, he often spoke about the ideas he defends, as well as the strategies he he wants to use. “implement them if they win the trust of citizens”. The goal of the policy represented by Abazovic is a civic, European and ecological Montenegro.

The “black and white” coalition in the elections to the Assembly of Montenegro achieved its goal and became a key factor for the next government. Exactly their four terms were crucial, because that’s exactly what it took for opposition coalitions to form a majority in parliament and, for the first time in Montenegro’s history, change power in elections. By joining the coalitions “For the good of Montenegro” and “Peace is our nation”, the URA contributed to the loss of power of the Democratic Party of Socialists after 30 years of leadership in Montenegro. After the announcement of the first preliminary results, Abazovic said: “Montenegro, enjoy the freedom!” He has become synonymous with change not only in his own country but also in the region, and has often been called a “game changer” or a “kingmaker”. Among other things, he spoke about the measures they want to take to improve the standard of living of Montenegrins. Regarding the improvement of the economic situation and the standard of living, Abazovic’s position is that this can be achieved through two systemic laws, the law on the origin of wealth and the law on lustration. Their purpose is to control the origin of the assets of all civil servants and persons who make a profit of more than half a million euros. Abazovic often points out that Montenegro has to deal with corruption, for which it loses between 150 and 200 million euros a year. He warned against helping small businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, stopping concession acts that “favor tycoons around the world at the expense of Montenegrin citizens”, and selling expensive vehicles with which have so far been driven by state officials. He often insists that due to corruption and poor living conditions, even 70% of young people want to flee Montenegro, and that this trend must be stopped because “after a certain number of years, there is no there will be no one left to defend the state, nor go to church”. On 9 September the leaders of the three coalitions signed an agreement in which, among other things, they undertake to strengthen cooperation with NATO, to speed up reforms for accession to the European Union and not to engage the question of Kosovo’s independence. They pledged to respect the Constitution and not to initiate the change of the flag, coat of arms and national anthem of Montenegro. Due to its specific performance and history, it has become “synonymous with the fight against organized crime and corruption and synonymous with unity where people of all religions and nationalities will live in peace and dignity and fight for the Civic and European Montenegro”.

The Parliament of Montenegro voted on December 4, 2020 the 42nd consecutive government. Abazovic was given the post of deputy prime minister in charge of the security sector. Abazovic also heads the High-Level Anti-Corruption Council and heads the Operational Coordination Office.

His relentless fight for justice has brought him into conflict with the biggest criminal clans in the state. During April 2021, the Montenegrin police arrested the leaders of the “Clan Kavaçëve”, while the famous French newspaper L Mond wrote that “the brave Abazovic ordered the confrontation with the mafia and that he is ready to pay any price for it”. Following this action, Abazovic received death threats, while the police increased the level of his security.

After dealing with the drug cartel, Abazovic’s activities focused on the cigarette mafia. Cigarette smuggling has been Montenegro’s biggest problem in recent decades, worth billions of euros. On the proposal of the Abazovic cabinet, in July 2021, a decision was adopted to prohibit the storage of tobacco products in the free zone of the Port of Bar, and at the same time, international smuggling investigations were opened.

During his short tenure in power, Abazovic managed to return the land of Ulqin to the state (15 million m2 – worth about 250 million euros), as well as contribute to passing the law returning the former owners to bay. of Valdanos with about 18,000 olive roots.

PRIVATE LIFE

Dritan Abazovic was born and raised in Ulcinj, educated in his hometown, Sarajevo and Podgorica, and in Oslo. Father Xhaudeti – Joe was a well-known tourism worker, while his mother Fadile was the first female lawyer in Ulcinj. Her brother and sister, Jihan and Sanella, are medical doctors. The brother is a recognized expert in the field of regenerative medicine and the use of stem cells in the treatment of various diseases. Winner of several awards and lecturer at many universities around the world. His sister is a well-known microbiologist, doctor and humanist who lives and works in Ulcinj.