Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic speaks in his DPS party headquarters in Podgorica, Montenegro, early Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. Montenegro's pro-Serb and Russian opposition groups claimed victory against the ruling pro-Western party in a tense parliamentary election that could see a change in the course of the small Balkan state. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

PODGORICA, Montenegro - Several thousand supporters of pro-Serb and pro-Russian parties in Montenegro took to the streets to celebrate on Monday, claiming an opposition victory in weekend parliamentary elections over a pro-Western party that has ruled the country for 30 years.

The long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists won the most votes at Sunday's balloting — around 35 per cent — according to the preliminary official results. However, a coalition of three opposition groupings said they have garnered enough support to form the next government.

The main opposition alliance, For the Future of Montenegro, won nearly 33% of the vote, according to the state election authorities. Two other opposition groups came next with around 12% and 5% respectively. They were followed by smaller parties and those run by ethnic minorities, according to the complete vote tally.

It is unclear when the final distribution of seats in the 81-member parliament will be announced. But it is clear the governing majority could be very slim. Montenegro’s opposition parties have already declared victory.

The DPS party and its leader, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, has been a key Western ally in pushing the volatile Balkans toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Djukanovic defied Russia in 2017 to lead his country into NATO after gaining independence from much-larger Serbia in 2006.

There have been fears that an opposition-led government would mean a change in Montenegro's pro-Western policy and a turn away from NATO toward traditional allies Serbia and Russia.

The opposition leaders sought to alleviate those fears on Monday. They said they want to unify the divided nation by forming an expert government that would respect all international agreements and stay the reform course toward membership in the European Union.

Known as the longest-serving European leader, Djukanovic also has faced accusations of corruption, autocracy and criminal links.

The election on Sunday was marked by a dispute over a law on religious rights that is staunchly opposed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church. The issue has fueled divisions in the nation of 620,000 people that is split over relations with the West and traditional Slavic allies Serbia and Russia.

For the Future of Montenegro has advocated stronger ties with Serbia and Russia, and backed church-led protests against the religion bill. A more moderate group and a smaller, liberal party are likely future coalition partners.

Carrying both Montenegrin and Serbian flags, the pro-Serb supporters gathered outside the main church in the capital Podgorica and drove around the city in their cars, honking horns and shouting slogans against Djukanovic.

Djukanovic said late on Sunday that his party is ready to acknowledge any election outcome. He expressed hope that the future government will keep Montenegro on the path toward joining the European Union.

International observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly said Monday that “while Montenegro’s parliamentary elections were managed transparently and efficiently, the widespread abuse of office and state resources gave the ruling party an undue advantage against the backdrop of an intensely polarized debate over issues of church and national identity.”

News from © The Associated Press, 2020