October 26 (SeeNews) - The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) of Montenegro's long-standing prime minister Milo Djukanovic will nominate its deputy chairman Dusko Markovic as the party's candidate for prime minister if it secures a majority in parliament, DPS has said.
The nomination of Markovic as Djukanovic's potential successor has confirmed reports that Djukanovic is set to end his quarter of a century long rule .
DPS, which fell short of absolute majority in parliament in the general election held on October 16, announced its decision to nominate Dusko Markovic for prime minister late on Tuesday.
The party said in a statement, following an inter-party session, that it has defined the dynamic of post-election activities and negotiations with the party's partners, which should lead to the rapid formation of a new government.
News that Djukanovic won't head Montenegro for yet another term also comes in the wake of reports that Serbian nationals allegedly planned a coup during the election weekend. Djukanovic claimed that an attack on Montenegro was organised by unnamed foreign powers who wanted to seize control of the country.
Serbia's prime minister Aleksandar Vucic said earlier this week that the Belgrade authorities arrested several suspects who had followed Djukanovic and had planned to disturb peace in Montenegro. Vucic, however, added that the Serbian authorities had nothing to do with the alleged coup plans.
The Democratic Party of Socialists won 41.1% of the vote in the general election, securing 35 of the 81 seats in parliament.
Opposition alliance Democratic Front (DF) won 20.6% or 18 seats, while peers Key Coalition and the Democrats party secured 9 seats each.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) won 4 seats, while the Social Democrats (SD) and the Bosniak Party secured 2 seats each. The Croatian Civic Initiative (HGI) and the electoral list Albanians Resolute each won one seat.
Milo Djukanovic was prime minister from 1991 to 1998, then president from 1998 to 2002, and PM again from 2003 to 2006. He took a two-year break in 2006, claiming he would retire from politics, but came back in 2008 as PM until 2010 when he once again stepped down, only to return in 2012 as PM.