Montenegrin electoral authorities have announced the preliminary election results this morning in Podgorica. According to 98.55% of the votes, the Democratic Party of Socialists, led by President Milo Djukanovic won 35.12% of the vote while the opposition “For the Future of Montenegro” won 32.54 of the vote.
More than 75% of citizens turned out to vote yesterday, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DPS will need to form a coalition in order to secure a majority in the 81-seat parliament.
Djukanovic has been in power in various senior positions for almost 30 years. He has been repeatedly accused of corruption, restricting media freedom, and election manipulation. His party has never lost an election since they came into power in the 1990s, following the collapse of Yugoslavia.
A period of intense coalition talks are expected to follow. A stiff challenge has been mounted by right-wing and pro-Serb parties who want increased links with Serbia and Russia. The three main opposition parties could have 41 seats in the 81-seat parliament.
