Montenegro went to the polls on March 29 2009 in a vote widely expected to return prime minister Milo Djukanovic’s coalition power, possibly with an absolute majority.

Djukanovic, long a dominant political and business figure, is heading a coalition entitled For a European Montenegro. The early election was called in what was portrayed as a referendum on the government’s response to the economic crisis.

Djukanovic (47) played a major role in leading Montenegro to independence from Serbia which was achieved in a referendum in 2006.

"Expectations and predictions are that the ruling coalition will have the highest percentage of votes, without any doubt. What remains is the question of whether they will have an absolute majority or lack some percentage, which then creates a different situation," professor Svetozar Jovicevic of Podgorica University was quoted as saying by news website B92.

The latest polls show that the coalition might win as much as 54 per cent of the vote and form the next government on its own.

"We are the party that is still very united, mobile, keen on winning and will bring about a safe, prosperous European future of Montenegro," Djukanovic said.

The Socialist People's Party and the New Serb Democratic Party are second and third in the surveys, with 17 and 12 percent support, respectively. The Socialist People’s Party has alleged that Djukanovic decided on early elections to get his mandate renewed before economic woes bit damagingly deep.

Overcoming economic troubles is not the only challenge facing Montenegro. The European Commission has warned it to make significant progress against organised crme and corruption if it hopes to join the EU.

Montenegro has a population of about 600 000. About 498 000 registered voters are eligible to elect 81 members of parliament from among 16 political parties and coalitions. The elections are being monitored by about 1000 local and 200 foreign observers.

Official early results are expected by midnight local time on March 29 2009.