Montenegro: Parliament Approves New Pro-NATO Government

BELGRADE - Montenegrin lawmakers have approved a new pro-NATO government led by Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, a former head of intelligence and a close ally of longtime leader Milo Djukanovic.

The vote on November 28 came as Markovic pledged that his government would complete, by the end of 2017, the years-long process of Montenegro's integration into NATO.

Montenegro's membership in NATO is opposed by Russia and has been the source of political tensions following an alleged foiled election-day coup said to have been orchestrated by Russian nationalists seeking to thwart Podgorica's NATO membership bid.

Markovic's Democratic Party of Socialists emerged as the strongest party in Montenegro's 81-seat parliament after the October 16 election, but lost its majority control.

However, it was able to form an alliance with Social Democrats and other parties that...