Elecciones parlamentarias en Montenegro (RFY)

Abstract

On 20th October two important elections took place in Montenegro: early Parliamentary elections for this small republic, still a part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and early by-elections in the capital Podgorica and the town of Tivat. These elections have been considered as a test of the popular support for and the strength of President Djukanovic´s position after last Spring’s institutional and political crisis, which followed the signature of the Belgrade Agreement on 14th March, under the international community pressure. This Agreement on Principles foresees the disappearance of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its replacement by a new “community of States” a “union of States”, which would be called “Serbia and Montenegro”. This would entail for President Djukanovic to give up, at least temporarily, his plans for an immediate independence of Montenegro. The electoral results are unexpected in the sense that they represent a rejection of the most extremist options of both the partisans of a quick independence (Liberal Alliance), and its most vehement opponents (the pro-Yugoslav “Together for Change Coalition”). The elections have rather reinforced the mandate of the Democratic Party of the Socialists (DPS), led by President Djukanovic and that of its electoral coalition partners of the “Democratic List for a European Montenegro” (the social-democrats of SDP). The results can be interpreted as a vote of confidence to Djukanovic, as a clear result of his pragmatic approach to a more moderate, internationally supported standpoint. Moreover, the final turnout (77,2%) was unusually high for the region, especially compared to the presidential elections in Serbia, and the results were generally accepted by the looser opposition parties, without the usual accusations of fraud. . One of the first consequences of the elections, has been the resignation of President Djukanovic, who opted for the Prime Minister position. . This can be explained by the need for a new parliamentary immunity in light of the resurgence of accusations about his alleged involvement in organized crime activities in the past, as well as by a need to better secure his leadership for the next four years and avoiding unnecessary risks in the next Presidential Election scheduled for 22 December 2002