Positive Montenegro party

The Montenegrin parliament's Committee on International Relations on Thursday failed to agree on the candidacy of the former Mayor of Podgorica, Miomir Mugosa, for the post of ambassador to Slovenia.

Opposition MPs and deputies from the junior ruling party, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, boycotted the session.

Montenegro's newest party, the Civic Movement, presented its leadership and program on Monday, describing itself as a pro-Western force that aims to "work hard to create a fair and balanced society".

The Civic Movement says will strive for three fundamental objectives - a civil state, a democratic change of government and Euro-Atlantic values.

After almost two months negotiations on a new authority for the city between the two national ruling parties the Party of Democratic Socialists, DPS, and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, collapsed on Wednesday, the capital could face new elections.

SDP leader Ranko Krivokapic, who is also the speaker of parliament, said new elections are "the most realistic option at this point".

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said on Sunday that his ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, could sign an agreement on forming an administration in Podgorica by the end of July, ending the deadlock which has left the capital in limbo since the mayor and city management’s mandate expired in mid-June.

A total of 717 polling stations will open from 7am to 8pm on Sunday May 25 for local elections in 12 of the country’s 22 municipalities. Almost 315,000 people have a right to vote.

Local elections, held in accordance with a new EU-backed electoral law, will take place in Podgorica, Bar, Bijelo Polje, Danilovgrad, Zabljak, Kolasin, Plav, Pluzine, Pljevlja, Rozaje, Savnik and Gusinje.

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, head of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, said the struggle to seek control of Podgorica will be "the toughest election battle" his party has faced since the independence referendum back in 2006.