Milo Đukanović

For the first time in almost two decades, the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, will run in the elections alone under its leader Milo Djukanovic - who hopes for a seventh term as prime minister.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and his ministers will not attend Monday's session of parliament, devoted to a government refuffle, following a conflict with the pro-Russian opposition Democratic Front MPs who insulted him.

Montenegro's main opposition alliance, composed mostly of pro-Serbian parties, said it will launch round-the-clock protests against the new interim government, which is going to be formed next week by the ruling coalition under Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and four opposition parties - DEMOS, civic movement URA, Socialdemocratic party and Socialist People's Party.

More than 10,000 people have taken part over two weeks in an online referendum on the military status of Montenegro, the pro-Russian organization behind the vote said.

The vote is a move to pressure the authorities to organize a national plebiscite on NATO membership.

Montenegro's quarrelling parties have agreed to sign a landmark deal on the conduct of the next elections by April 9.

Under the terms of the agreement, the opposition will get ministerial seats in the cabinet and representatives in important state institutions.

Montenegro's leaders are to meet yet again next week to try to resolve the crisis in the country following the failure of a no-confidence vote in the government in January.

The crisis, Montenegro's worst since it gained independence in 2006, revolves around opposition claims that the government has no legitimacy to organize general elections planned this year.

Montenegro can expect to become a full member of NATO by mid-2017, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said in an interview with Russian television Dozhd.

The interview has been rebroadcast by Montenegrin national television late on Wednesday.

The righting alliance comprising 50 MEPs and one European Commissioner on Tuesday said the EU's latest resolution on Montenegro last week demonstrated double standards and has ignored the "corruption of Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic".

Several hundred opposition protesters gathered in front of the parliament in Podgorica, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who has held power since 1991.

Protesters carrying Serbian and Montenegrin flags shouted "Milo, thief!" and accused the governmnet of corruption, undemocratic practices and election fraud.

Montenegro's political leaders are to meet again on Friday in an attempt to resolve the crisis in the country following the failure of a no-confidence vote in the government in January.

But talks between Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, and opposition parties have become stuck over who should control the public broadcaster, RTCG.