Montenegro’s ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) garnered 35 percent of the votes in a tight and bitterly-contested parliamentary election on Sunday — the party’s worst result since the small Adriatic country declared its independence from Serbia 14 years ago.
Official results show the opposition alliance securing 32.5 percent, meaning that it could feasibly form a government if it can reach consensus with Montenegro’s other two opposition parties. Such as development would see the DPS lose power in the country for the first time in 30 years.
In a statement, the head of the opposition coalition, Zdravko Krivokapic, told supporters that “…The regime has fallen.”
The government of long-time president Milo Djukanovic has engaged in an unprecedented persecution against the Orthodox Church in the country since the beginning of the year, following stepped up opposition by the Church, its clergy and the faithful against a controversial law that threatens to strip the Church of its assets and relics.
In a statement on Sunday evening, the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, clarified that the Church is not planning any election-related rally or event.