Montenegro Speaker to Boycott Presidential Vote

Ranko Krivokapic, speaker of parliament and leader of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, on Wednesday said party members will probably boycott the forthcoming presidential on April 7 elections or cross out their ballots.

He made the threat after the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, led by Milo Djukanovic, nominated Filip Vujanovic as its candidate on January 24.

The SDP has been part of every Djukanovic-led election coalition since 1998, and, as a result, has also been a part of every Montenegrin government.

But the SDP contests Vujanovic's nomination because he has already served as president twice and the constitution does not permit a third mandate.

Supporters of Vujanovic say his first presidential mandate does not count, as it took place when Montenegro formed part of a joint state with Serbia.

Besides Vujanovic, Miodrag Lekic, although leader of the largest opposition formation in Montenegro, the Democratic Front, is running as an independent candidate.