Both the Democratic Party of Socialists and the opposition have declared victory in Montenegro’s general election.
The vote took place yesterday. Based on the exit polls, the DPS won 34.8% of the vote equivalent to 29 out of the 81 available parliamentary seats. This put them fractionally ahead of the opposition with 87.3% of the votes counted.
The main opposition “For the Future of Montenegro” won 32.8% of the votes or 28 seats. Another opposition coalition, Peace is Our Nation won 12.5% of the votes.
As for the other parties in the race, the Black on White party won 5.7%, the Social Democratic Party won 3.1%, the Bosniak Party won 4.1%, the Social Democrats 4.2% and the Albanian coalition 1.5%.
The long-ruling DPS now faces uncertainty until the final tally of votes is in. This didn’t stop them declaring victory and insisting they could form a coalition with the help of its usual political partners- smaller independent parties. If any of them decide to join a coalition with the DPS, they can form a new government.
Leader of “For the Future of Montenegro”, Zdravko Krivokapic said that he believes the DPS’s party has lost and that his party has won.
Watchdogs noted a total of 770 irregularities during the vote. Accusations of vote-buying, political pressure, and voters photographing their ballots were rife.
Almost 76% of voters turned out.
