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| - Montenegro's powerful President Milo Djukanovic has confirmed he would give a mandate to the opposition if they unite to form a majority, in what would be the country's first ever change of power through the ballot box. The ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) headed by Djukanovic, who has led the Adriatic nation for more than three decades, suffered its worst setback in history in an election Sunday that gave a narrow advantage to three opposition coalitions. "We had a warning on Sunday," the 58-year-old president, one of Europe's longest serving leaders, said late Tuesday in an interview with the regional channel Newsmax Adria. He vowed to "respect" the rules and give whoever has at least 41 seats in the 81-member assembly "the opportunity to form the new government." While the the official seat allocations have not yet been announced, projections from election monitors put the opposition camps in line for a combined 41. The three coalitions are a motley mix, including a large right-wing pro-Serb alliance, a more centrist camp and a smaller liberal bloc. But they have pledged to join forces and appoint a government of experts to bridge their divides and oust DPS. Djukanovic, accused of ruling with a strongman style, does not face his own reelection until 2023. In the interview he accused neighbouring Serbia of meddling in Montenegrin politics to rile up the pro-Serb nationalists who finished second behind DPS. While Montenegro declared independence from Serbia 14 years ago, around a third of the 620,000 population identify as Serb, some of whom have scorned Djukanovic's state-building project to cement a separate Montenegrin identity. Djukanovic accused Belgrade of trying to "revitalise the policy of Greater Serbian nationalism," a reference to an ultra-nationalist dream to unite all parts of the Balkans with Serb communities. Pro-Serb forces in Montenegro were boosted this year by a row between Djukanovic and the Belgrade-based Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), which is still Montenegro's main faith. The conflict erupted over a law that could turn hundreds of SPC churches into state property. Its passage sent tens of thousands into the streets, in processions led by priests who accused the government of trying to steal their holy relics and erase Serb heritage. Serbian media also fanned the flames, alleging before the election that Djukanovic would carry out a "pogrom against Serbs". bur-ssm/wdb
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