Western Europe's ally or Russian colony '“Montenegro decides

Voting in parliamentary elections began on Saturday with opposition groups hoping to end the rule of pro-Western premier Milo Djukanovic, who warns that his rivals would derail imminent NATO accession. Picture: Getty

Voters in the small Balkan state of Montenegro voted yesterday in a parliamentary election that could determine whether it continues on its western course or turns back to traditional ally Russia.

The vote pitted the long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, led by prime minister Milo Djukanovic, against a cluster of pro-Russian and pro-Serbian opposition groups that staunchly oppose the government’s pro-western policies, especially its Nato bid.

The outcome could jeopardize Nato and European Unisn enlargement in south-eastern Europe and could prove decisive in the Kremlin’s attempts to regain influence in the strategic Balkans region.

The scenic country of 650,000 people, squeezed between the Adriatic Sea and towering mountains, is deeply divided among those who favour closer integration with the West and those who oppose it.

Pre-election polls have predicted the closest race since Montenegro gained independence from much larger Serbia a decade ago.

Predominantly Orthodox Christian, like Russia, Montenegro was Moscow’s historical ally.

But after splitting with Serbia in a 2006 referendum, Montenegro took a strong turn toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

Russia strongly opposes the expansion of Nato in European former communist countries it considers part of its “strategic interests.”

Wary of Russian influence in the still-volatile region, which was engulfed in bloody civil wars in the 1990s, the West wants Montenegro in Nato, which invited the state to join.

Rallying supporters ahead of the vote, Mr Djukanovic said the ballot for the 81-seat parliament will decide whether Montenegro continues on a western course or becomes “a Russian colony”. He is facing the toughest challenge yet to his quarter-century rule.

Opposition leaders have accused Mr Djukanovic of corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement and say he is trying to scare voters by suggesting that chaos will prevail if he loses.

Speaking after casting his ballot, opposition Democratic Front leader Andrija Mandic said: “I have no doubt that the opposition will show its strength and that the Democratic Front will become future framework of the Montenegro government. Today is the last day of Djukanovic’s 27-year rule.”

There are fears that violence could erupt on the streets of Podgorica, the capital, between opposition and government supporters after the results are announced.