Montenegro MPs to Vote on New Govt Amid Boycott

Montenegro's parliament convenes on Monday to approve a new cabinet of ministers although opposition MPs are boycotting the legislature and refusing to recognise the results of last month's general election, alleging vote-rigging.

The new government, the fourth since the country gained independence, is expected to be approved by the 42 MPs from the ruling coalition in the 81-seat parliament, led by the Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS.

The formation of the new government under the DPS's nominee for prime minister, Dusko Markovic, will see veteran leader Milo Djukanovic stepping down from the PM post, at least temporarily.

However, there is speculation he will run for another term as president when incumbent Filip Vujanovic's term expires in early 2018. 

The new government under Djukanovic's successor Markovic, the vice-president of the ruling DPS, has secured a majority in parliament with the help of ethnic minority Bosniak, Albanian and Croat parties and the small leftist Social Democratic party, SD, which in return will have seven seats in the new cabinet.

Late on Sunday, the leader of the DPS and outgoing PM Djukanovic signed a coalition deal with the SD and the minority Bosniak, Albanian and Croatian parties, making it is certain that some longtime ministers will not have seats I the new cabinet.

Former Tourism Minister Branimir Gvozdenovic, Defence Minister Milica Pejanovic Djurisic and Economy Minister Vladimir Kavaric will all lose their portfolios.

New PM Markovic wants to refresh the cabinet and appoint staff untainted with suspicions of abuse of office and corruption, independent newspapers Dan and Vijesti reported.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties announced they will meet this week...