Tensions mount ahead of Montenegro referendum
In Short:
Tensions are mounting between secessionists and unionists in Montenegro
ahead of the republic's scheduled 21 May referendum on independence
from Serbia.
RELATED
EU-Western Balkans relations
Brief News:
The unionists, ie those who would favour a close and lasting political
association with Serbia, are shown by recent polls to be slightly
outnumbered by those who seek independence for this republic of 700,000
people. However, some 15% of the 480,000 registered voters are still
undecided.
According to a special formula proposed by EU foreign policy chief
Javier Solana, Montenegro's secession from Serbia would require 55% of
the votes cast, instead of a simple majority. Political science
professor Srdjan Darmanovic was quoted by Financial Times Deutschland
as saying that there is a "55% chance of reaching 55%".
In the run-up to the referendum, EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak has held
talks with both secessionist Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Predrag
Bulatovic, the leader of the unionist opposition. "I conveyed my
concern over the mood which seems overly headed toward confrontation,"
Lajcak said, citing recent accusations of vote-rigging and bribery by
the unionists. "There is no need to create problems that would only
complicate life after the referendum," he said.
"Something must change in Montenegro, or the European Union will change
its stand" toward the Balkan republic, Lajcak commented.
.
|
