Montenegro votes today with legendary leader Milo Djukanovic expected to pull it off again

Montenegro’s ballot boxes are open today for what seems to be a tight race delivering another victory for the country’s legendary leader Milo Djukanovic.

Prime Minister of Montenegro since 2012. Đukanović served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1998, then as President of Montenegro from 1998 to 2002 and as Prime Minister again from 2003 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2010.

Since his breakup with Slobodan Milosevic, he positioned his Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro against the traditional Serbia & Montenegro unifying vision and campaigned for an independent, western-oriented Montenegro, culminating with independence in 2006.

This year the tiny Balkan country receivd an invitation to join NATO and Djukanovic has made this the top issue of these elections, asking people to choose between the West and Russia.

“Shall we become a developed European society or a turn into a Russian colony?” Djukanovic told his faithful supporters in his final campaign rally in Podgorica.

Djukanovic faces two kinds of critics, those against NATO and EU membership, openly in favor of Russia like the the Democratic Front, and those other and former allies who accuse Djukanovic of corruption and strong links to networks of organised crime.

Former long terms ally and President of the Social Democratic Party Ranko Krivokapic who served as President of the Montenegrin Parliament from 2003 to 2016, has openly accused Djukanovic and his DPS party ln links with organised crime and other illegal activities.

Krivokapic was forced to leave his Head of Parliament’s position afer he staged a failed no-confidence vote against Djukanovic in January 2016, and was replaced by Darko Pajovic of the Positive Montenegro Party.

Opposition parties fear that Djukanovic will use everything he can, including vote buying techniques to ensure a victory.

Milo Djukanovic, who has led Europe’s longest serving regime for the last 27 years, and known for his masterful skills in forging alliances, is hoping to get enough votes together with his smaller allies and minority parties to form the next government. If he doesn’t, he will lure the votes of a few opposition MPs in order to secure the continuation of his reign, which most of his supporters see as vital for the western future of Montenegro.

Pollsters predict a close race and polling stations close at 20:00 tonight.