Prime minister: Russia vs. West in Montenegro vote
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this photo taken on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, a man walks by an election poster of pro-Western Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists, reading “We are joining NATO, we are at the doorstep at the developed European family” and “With firm step ahead!”, in downtown Podgorica, Montenegro.
Podgorica, Montenegro » Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic says a general election this weekend will decide whether the small Balkan state will continue on a Western course, or become “a Russian colony.”
Djukanovic has told his supporters that the ballot on Sunday is the most important since the vote for independence from much bigger Serbia a decade ago.
Djukanovic said Friday: “Everyone is aware that the fate of the state will be decided … whether Montenegro will become a member of the EU and NATO, or a Russian colony.”
The vote pits Djukanovic’s long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists against a cluster of pro-Russian and pro-Serbian opposition groups which staunchly oppose the country’s NATO bid.
Djukanovic has accused the Kremlin of meddling in the election process by secretly financing the opposition parties.
