Election in Montenegro won by ruling party and married by ‘coup’ accusations

Results and analysis of the general election in Montenegro held on the 16 October 2016.

In the aftermath of the election, an alleged plot was uncovered which aimed to sway the election in the country. A special prosecutor later indicated that the plan included the assassination of Montenegro's prime minister.

The opposition parties said the suspected plot had been fabricated to consolidate the prime minister's grip to power.

While the leading party was re-elected, it lost its majority. The opposition rejected negotiations with the outgoing prime minister, so the country's president named the party's deputy leader as the new prime minister.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Montenegrin parliamentary election, 16 October 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/montenegrin-parliamentary-election-16-october-2016/

ESO: Find further information on this topic in ESO http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=montenegro%20parliamentary%20election%202016%20october%20&searchOption=all

BBC News, 16.10.16: Montenegro election: Djukanovic declares ruling party victory http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37672752

Deutsche Welle, 16.10.16: Pro-West DPS wins Montenegro election, according to unofficial results http://dw.com/p/2RHW5

Politico, 16.10.16: Montenegro detains 20 Serbs amid national vote http://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-detains-20-serbs-amid-national-vote/

EUObserver, 17.10.16: Montenegro's Dukanovic battling to stay in power https://euobserver.com/enlargement/135521

EurActiv, 17.10.16: Montenegro hit by cyber-attacks on election day http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/montenegro-hit-by-cyber-attacks-on-election-day/

Al Jazeera, 17.10.16: Montenegro's ruling party 'leads' in crucial elections http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/nato-russia-tension-looms-montenegro-vote-161016075223379.html

EU: EEAS: Statement, 17.10.16: Joint Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the elections in Montenegro http://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/12241/joint-statement-by-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-and-commissioner-johannes-hahn-on-the-elections-in-montenegro_en

OSCE: ODIHR: Press Release, 17.10.16: Montenegro elections competitive and fundamental freedoms respected, but campaign characterized by lack of distinct domestic policy alternatives, observers say http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/275086

EurActiv, 25.10.16: Serbia unmasks plot to sway election in neighbouring Montenegro http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/serbia-unmasks-plot-to-sway-election-in-neighbouring-montenegro/

Politico, 26.10.16: Montenegro PM to step down because of election plot http://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-pm-to-step-down-because-of-election-plot/

The Guardian, 25.10.16: Montenegro's PM quits after suggesting Russia had role in election plot https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/25/montenegro-investigating-russia-alleged-election-coup-plot

EurActiv, 07.11.16: Montenegro says it foiled Russian-backed plan to kill PM Djukanovic http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/montenegro-says-it-foiled-russian-backed-plan-to-kill-pm-djukanovic/

EUObserver, 07.11.16: 'Russian nationalists' linked to Montenegro plot https://euobserver.com/foreign/135792

Politico, 06.11.16: Montenegro: ‘Russian nationalists’ behind election day plot http://www.politico.eu/article/montenegro-russian-nationalists-behind-election-day-plot/

EurActiv, 10.11.16: Former secret police chief nominated for Montenegro premiership http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/former-secret-police-chief-nominated-for-montenegro-premiership/

Balkan Insight, 10.11.16: Montenegro PM Accuses Opposition Over 'Plot to Kill Him' http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/djukanovic-accuses-pro-russian-opposition-over-plot-to-kill-him--11-10-2016

EurActiv, 14.02.17: Montenegro prosecutor targets opposition leaders in ‘coup’ investigation http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/montenegro-prosecutor-targets-opposition-leaders-in-coup-investigation/

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