Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic dissolved parliament by decree, paving the way for snap elections. This was announced by the President’s Office in Podgorica on Thursday. The pro-Western head of state took the step after the pro-Serb majority in parliament failed to secure a majority behind former diplomat Miodrag Lekic.
The pro-Serbian government of Dritan Abazović has been in power for more than six months after parliament voted no confidence in it. Abazović’s small URA party now refused to support Lekić, which was the reason why his election failed.
The majority is razor thin
Pro-Serbs have a slim majority of 41 out of 81 MPs, including four URA representatives. The now dissolved parliament was elected in August 2020. According to the constitution, parliamentary elections must be held within 60 to 100 days.
Before that, there will be regular presidential elections next Sunday. Djukanovic is running for a second consecutive term. Many pro-Serbian and Western candidates are competing with him. A minimum of 50 percent of the votes are required to win, which should not fall on any of the applicants. On April 2, there will likely be a run-off between the first-place finishers.
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