Montenegro rejects Belgrade's call for opening three polling stations in Serbia

The decision was announced by Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic, following sharp criticism against him by pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro and by top Belgrade officials.

According to an announcement issued Monday by Prime Minister Krivokapic's office, the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry had decided to refuse the Serbian Embassy's request without announcing the prime minister and most of the ministers in the government.

They said the government led by Mr. Krivokapic has not made a decision to open polling stations in Montenegro, where Serbian citizens currently living in the country would vote.

The Foreign Ministry's decision to reject the Republika Serbia Embassy's request for the opening of polling stations in Berane, Sutomore and Budva, for the process of the upcoming presidential, parliamentary and local elections expected on April 3rd in Serbia, has been made by Foreign Minister Djordje Radulovic”, said in the prime minister's statement.

The pro-Serbian Party, the Democratic Front, criticised Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic and Minister Djordje Radulovic for the decision, saying they are trying to prevent Serbian citizens living in these municipalities from participating in the elections.

This is an anti-Serb policy continuation. This is especially true if we bear in mind that, days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic has asked Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, wheat and corn. It should also be remembered that the first vaccine against COVID-19 has come exactly from Serbia, with the consent and goodwill of the president of Serbia”, the Democratic Front said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warned about this that at the meeting of the National Security Council “Montenegro will receive Serbia's response Tuesday, which will be of broad consequences”. /voa