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Montenegro votes in early polls Montenegro party claims poll win
(10 minutes later)
People in Montenegro have voted in an early parliamentary election as PM Milo Djukanovic seeks a mandate to speed up efforts to join the EU and Nato. Montenegro's ruling coalition has claimed victory in its parliamentary election, bolstering the government's efforts to join the EU and Nato.
Sixteen parties and coalitions are running, but only four are expected to win places in the 81-seat parliament. An official from Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's party claimed victory in a TV broadcast in front of supporters.
The parliament of the tiny former Yugoslav republic was dissolved by President Filip Vujanovic in January. Early projections suggest the ruling bloc won more than 50% of the vote, its nearest rivals taking about 16%.
He said a fresh mandate was needed to pursue Montenegro's drive for Nato and EU membership and to speed up reforms. The country's leaders held the election early, saying a new mandate was needed to push through their reforms.
Speaking to reporters after voting, Mr Djukanovic said it was important that the country showed it was capable of further economic and social development. Hours after polls closed, the Democratic Party of Socialists' political director Predrag Sekulic told supporters the ruling coalition had won.
"What matters today is that Montenegro continues its dynamic economic development, that it will preserve social stability during the crisis," he said. "This victory is even more important because it comes at a time of the speeding up of European integration and the maturing of democracy in Montenegro," he said.
The Podgorica-based CEMI election monitors said parties belonging to the ruling coalition, known as European Montenegro, had won more than 50% of the vote.
The opposition Socialist People's Party, the bloc's nearest rivals, won slightly more than 16%.
Robust growthRobust growth
Mr Djukanovic's ruling pro-European coalition is expected to win a convincing victory, says the BBC's Balkans correspondent Helen Fawkes. Earlier, Mr Djukanovic said it was important that the country showed it was capable of further economic and social development.
The main opposition parties - all of which favour closer ties with Serbia - say the election was called before Montenegro's once-booming economy was hit by the full impact of the global financial crisis. "What matters today is that Montenegro continues its dynamic economic development, that it will preserve social stability during the crisis," he said.
The main opposition parties - all of which favour closer ties with Serbia - said the election was called before the full impact of the global financial crisis has become clear.
The country's economy, especially the tourism sector, has grown robustly since 2006 when Montenegro ended its union with Serbia.The country's economy, especially the tourism sector, has grown robustly since 2006 when Montenegro ended its union with Serbia.
But the economy could go into recession later this year, our correspondent adds. But analysts say the economy could go into recession later this year.
Polls closed at 1900 GMT. Preliminary results will be released on Monday, with final official results expected two weeks later.Polls closed at 1900 GMT. Preliminary results will be released on Monday, with final official results expected two weeks later.
Mr Djukanovic has been in charge of Montenegro on and off since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in 1991.Mr Djukanovic has been in charge of Montenegro on and off since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
His opponents say his time in office has been characterised by corruption.His opponents say his time in office has been characterised by corruption.