This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7970805.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Montenegro party claims poll win | Montenegro party claims poll win |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Montenegro's ruling coalition has claimed victory in its parliamentary election, bolstering the government's 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. |
| An official from Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's party claimed victory in a TV broadcast in front of supporters. | An official from Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's party claimed victory in a TV broadcast in front of supporters. |
| Early projections suggest the ruling bloc won more than 50% of the vote, its nearest rivals taking about 16%. | Early projections suggest the ruling bloc won more than 50% of the vote, its nearest rivals taking about 16%. |
| The country's leaders held the election early, saying a new mandate was needed to push through their reforms. | The country's leaders held the election early, saying a new mandate was needed to push through their reforms. |
| Hours after polls closed, the Democratic Party of Socialists' political director Predrag Sekulic told supporters the ruling coalition had won. | Hours after polls closed, the Democratic Party of Socialists' political director Predrag Sekulic told supporters the ruling coalition had won. |
| "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. | "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 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%. | The opposition Socialist People's Party, the bloc's nearest rivals, won slightly more than 16%. |
| Robust growth | Robust growth |
| Earlier, Mr Djukanovic said it was important that the country showed it was capable of further economic and social development. | Earlier, Mr Djukanovic said it was important that the country showed it was capable of further economic and social development. |
| Sixteen parties and coalitions are running in Montenegro's election | |
| "What matters today is that Montenegro continues its dynamic economic development, that it will preserve social stability during the crisis," he said. | "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 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 analysts say the economy could go into recession later this year. | 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. |