Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2006
Encyclopedia
The election for the Constitutional Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro in the newly independent Republic of Montenegro
took place on September 10, 2006, with Prime Minister Milo Đukanović claiming absolute victory for his centre-left, pro-European Union
party the next day. Đukanović's Coalition for a European Montenegro, based around the Democratic Party of Socialists
, won 39 seats (+1 Albanian) in the 81 seat parliament
with the vote near fully counted. The opposition blocs together received 34 seats (11 for the Socialist People's Party
and the Movement for Changes
each and 12 for the Serbian List). There were 484,430 eligible voters.
As rival groups conceded defeat, the re-elected Prime Minister stated that, "These elections showed that Montenegro is stable and firm on its road to Europe."
The new Movement for Changes
, standing on a pro-EU, anti-corruption and economic improvement platform, took 11 seats. Other seats were won by parties representing ethnic minorities, mainly Albanian
.
The parliamentary elections in Montenegro were held largely in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe
standards for democratic elections. However a number of reappearing challenges remain to be addressed, concluded the International Election Observation Mission. Some 200 observers from 41 countries monitored the vote and the count.
"The people of the world's newest country can be proud that their first elections since gaining independence meet international electoral standards. We look forward to working with our Montenegrin parliamentary colleagues and overcoming remaining challenges", said João Soares, Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Delegation and Special Co-ordinator for the short-term observers, appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
Poll from the status of the parties just before the election:
Turnout:
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
took place on September 10, 2006, with Prime Minister Milo Đukanović claiming absolute victory for his centre-left, pro-European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
party the next day. Đukanović's Coalition for a European Montenegro, based around the Democratic Party of Socialists
Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro
The Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro is the ruling social-democratic political party in Montenegro....
, won 39 seats (+1 Albanian) in the 81 seat parliament
Parliament of Montenegro
The Parliament of Montenegro is the unicameral legislature of Montenegro. The Parliament currently has 81 members, each elected for a four-year term. The current Speaker of the Parliament is Ranko Krivokapić, while the deputy speakers are Željko Šturanović and Rifat Rastoder...
with the vote near fully counted. The opposition blocs together received 34 seats (11 for the Socialist People's Party
Socialist People's Party of Montenegro
The Socialist People's Party of Montenegro is a socialist opposition political party in Montenegro. It has 16 MPs in the Parliament of Montenegro, which it won on the 2009 parliamentary election...
and the Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes is a political party in Montenegro which has a proclaimed goal to integrate their country into the European Union and to support political and economic reforms to bring it into line with European norms...
each and 12 for the Serbian List). There were 484,430 eligible voters.
As rival groups conceded defeat, the re-elected Prime Minister stated that, "These elections showed that Montenegro is stable and firm on its road to Europe."
The new Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes
Movement for Changes is a political party in Montenegro which has a proclaimed goal to integrate their country into the European Union and to support political and economic reforms to bring it into line with European norms...
, standing on a pro-EU, anti-corruption and economic improvement platform, took 11 seats. Other seats were won by parties representing ethnic minorities, mainly Albanian
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
.
The parliamentary elections in Montenegro were held largely in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
standards for democratic elections. However a number of reappearing challenges remain to be addressed, concluded the International Election Observation Mission. Some 200 observers from 41 countries monitored the vote and the count.
"The people of the world's newest country can be proud that their first elections since gaining independence meet international electoral standards. We look forward to working with our Montenegrin parliamentary colleagues and overcoming remaining challenges", said João Soares, Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Delegation and Special Co-ordinator for the short-term observers, appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.
Results
Out of 484,430 legitimate Montenegrin voters, 70.3% voted at the Parliamentary elections:Pre-election opinion polls
One opinion poll leading up to the elections suggested Đukanović's Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) could win as much as 30%-45% of the vote, but that would still leave him needing a coalition partner. According to the same poll, the three pro-Serb opposition alliances could each win between 10% and 20% of the vote - potentially enough to unseat the prime minister if they succeed in uniting against him. All three say their main priority is to replace Mr Đukanović. However, the prime minister himself did not rule out joining forces with the main opposition bloc, led by the Socialist People's PartyPoll from the status of the parties just before the election:
- Coalition for European Montenegro - Milo Đukanović (DPS-SDP) - 31,8%
- Coalition of the Socialist People's Party of Montenegro (SNP-NS-DSS) - 20,1%
- Movement for Changes - Nebojša Medojević - 19.5%
- Serbian List - Andrija Mandić - 9.9%
- Liberals and Bosniak Party - Miodrag "Miko" Živković - 4.1%
- Civic List - 2%
- Albanian Alternative - 1.9%
- Coalition Democratic Alliance in Montenegro-Party of Democratic Prosperity - Mehmet Bardhi - 1%
- Forca - 0.9%
- Democratic Union of Albanians - Ferhat Dinoša - 0.7%
- others - 0.8%
- undecided - 7.3%
Turnout:
- Vote - 68.3%
- Abstain - 18.8%
- Doesn't now - 12.9%