Montenegro accepts EU guideline for independence referendum

Montenegro 's ruling party said Monday it would go along with a European Union guideline that 55 percent of the electorate need to vote in favor of independence in a planned referendum for it to be binding.

Photo: Montenegro accepts EU guideline for independence referendum

Montenegro accepts EU guideline for independence referendum

Montenegro Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists said it has accepted the EU recommendation on the size of majority needed to support his bid for the Serbia-Montenegro alliance to be dissolved. "The Democratic Party of Socialists has decided to accept the unusual ... recommendation from the EU," the party statement said.

The reluctant acceptance came after the leadership had asked the EU to reconsider the 55 percent threshold. Montenegro 's 465,600 voters have been deeply divided over the issue. Serbia and Montenegro stayed together when four other former Yugoslav republics declared independence in 1991, but their relations have worsened since. No date has been set for the referendum, which Djukanovic wants to take place as early as April, reports the AP.

N.U.