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Montenegro constitutes parliament, opposition absent in protest

Xinhua, November 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Montenegrin members of parliament (MPs) on Monday started the first session of the new parliament elected on Oct. 16, although Montenegrin media reported that almost half of MPs were absent out of protest.

At the beginning of the session, MPs were presented with the report of the State Electoral Commission, according to which the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) won 36 MP seats in the new parliament of 81 seats, Montenegrin parliament confirmed in a press release.

Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG) reported that besides DPS, present at the constitutive session were two MPs from the party Social Democrats of Montenegro (SD), two MPs from the Bosniak Party, one from Albanians Decisively, and one from the Croat Citizen Initiative.

Those absent were 18 MPs from the coalition Democratic Front, nine MPs from the coalition Key, eight MPs from Democratic Montenegro, and four MPs from the Social Democrats, according to RTCG.

The MPs were said to be missing in protest over alleged irregularities in the elections, whose results they did not recognize, as they believe the elections were not free and democratic.

Reportedly, present MPs of DPS, SD and minority parties did not elect a speaker, deputy-speakers or other organs of the parliament, although this topic was originally part of the official schedule.

Marija Catovic, who presided over the first session of parliament, said that by constituting the parliament, the session was finished for the day and that MPs would be notified on the date for the next parliamentary session.

The constitutive session of the new government was attended by Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, as well as representatives of state institutions. In order for a government to be formed, Vujanovic has to officially propose a candidate for prime minister, after holding meetings scheduled for Wednesday with all parties represented in the parliament.

President of the strongest party, former prime minister Milo Djukanovic already nominated vice-president of the party Dusko Markovic for the position. DPS announced at the session of the main board held on Oct. 26 that a government with Markovic at the helm could be formed as early as Nov. 10 or 11. Endit