Ruling DPS ahead in Montenegro’s elections but fails to get needed majority

The Democratic Party of Socialists DPS of Prime Minister and veteran leader Milo Djukanovic has won the general elections in Montenegro according to the preliminary readings of the Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI).

DPS is expected to get more than 40% of the vote or 36 seats in Parliament while opposition’s pro Russian Democratic Front has pulled over 20% of the vote giving them 18 seats.

More than 73% of the 530,000 registered voters participated in what became a fiercely fought battle over the future direction of the small Balkan country.

Ruling veteran leader who has led Montenegro for more than a quarter of a century Milo Djukanovic told people that this election was about choosing whether to go with NATO or turn into a Russian colony.

Although Montenegrins have voted as expected in favor of Djukanovic’s DPS, no party has managed to get absolute majority to create a government. Milo Djukanovic will have to start negotiating with smaller parties to form the next government which will take Montenegro forward in its NATO membership and EU integration.

Both the ruling party and the opposition claimed they have enough seats and allies to form the country’s future government. They will have a tough time to form post-electoral coalitions with small groups that enter the 81-seat Parliament.

The election day was marked by tensions as 20 serbian people were arrested and charged with planning to stage an armed attack against institutions and high state officials.

Several complaints have been filed across the country while international monitoring missions are expected to deliver their preliminary report tomorrow.