Foul Screams the Opposition

The NS, along with the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), is the most serious contender for seats in federal parliament. The prevailing assessment is that the second strongest opposition party, the Liberal Alliance (LS), simply can't run in federal elections and the Social Democrats have no chance given the new conditions.

"We won't stand in federal elections," Zoran Ljumovic, LS parliament group chief, told VREME. "We don't want to give legitimacy to an illegal and undemocratic creation. The fact that a small number of people change the election law without a public debate shows how modern and federal this state is. The ruling groups in Serbia and Montenegro don't have the support of the population and can survive in power only through election tricks. The state ruled by a small number of people whose institutions begin and end in double beds or party meetings can't be democratic or prosperous, and no federal elections or changes in election law can postpone their departure from power," he said.

NS parliament group chief Dragan Soc told VREME the federal government initiative is a return to 1992 when the opposition refused to stand in elections because of the system. "It's ridiculous to explain that this is meant to promote and democratize the election system when districts in Montenegro elect 2.5 MPs and in Serbia four. It's closer to the truth that changes in the election system are being launched amid fear that the ruling parties could lose their majority which they now hold thanks to defections from other parties."

Social Democrat Dragisa Burzan said this is just continuity in creating a unitary state which will have a negative effect on Serbia-Montenegro relations in the long run.

All those parties feel that the DPS could make a similar proposal prior to republican elections to secure a majority in parliament.