Opposition parties had hoped for a breakthrough in the local contests, after finally coming together to form a united front. But Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic’s DPS swept the tables nevertheless, achieving an absolute victory in seven out of the 14 contested municipalities — Bar, Danilovgrad, Savnik, Zabljak, Berane, Bijelo Polje and Rozaje.

In five others, it must form a coalition. Besides in Podgorica, it needs an alliance with the SDP in Ulcinj and Andrijevica; and with small ethnic Albanian parties and civic groups in Plav and Kolasin.

The anti-DPS opposition only managed to pull off victories in Pljevlja and Pluzine. It still retains a majority in Golubovci, a part of Podgorica with its own municipal assembly.

Meanwhile, Krivokapic’s SDP now finds itself in an enviable “kingmaker” role.

“We will work in the interests of all citizens, and after the elections we will again consult with the citizens because the city [of Podgorica] belongs to them. Citizens will define what will be the final priorities when entering into coalitions with potential partners for future city government,” party vice president Vujica Lazovic told journalists.

“The SDP is the only real winner of the elections in Podgorica,” said analyst Milos Besic. “It is obvious that the party’s constituency consists of young intellectuals, a progressive electorate. The DPS is a relative winner.”

In Besic’s view, the vote was a washout for the opposition. “They were united, they were a serious coalition, 12 parties together, but did not manage to threaten the DPS,” he said…

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