Voting begins in Serbia parliamentary elections

Montenegrins began voting Sunday in parliamentary elections expected to extend the two decades-long rule of the incumbent Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). Opinion polls predict a clear triumph for the DPS and its two smaller coalition partners, tipping it to collect 47 per cent of the ballots cast, the (DPA) news agency reported. The fragmented and squabbling opposition dismissed the forecasts as "propaganda." The European Union agreed in June to open membership accession talks with small Balkan state, but warned this month that it must do more to improve the rule of law, and combat corruption. Some 512,000 people are eligible to vote for the legislature with 81 seats. Polling are scheduled to close at 8 pm (1800 GMT). First projections are expected a few hours later.