Montenegro's ruling pro-independence coalition narrowly won Sunday's parliamentary election but fell short of the overwhelming mandate it had hoped for, election results showed today.
Independent projections gave President Milo Djukanovic's alliance, which aims to end Montenegro's partnership with much larger Serbia in the Yugoslav federation, just two seats more than its main rivals and failing to get an overall majority.
The pro-Yugoslav bloc said its strong showing - which had not been predicted publicly by opinion pollsters or the Djukanovic camp - meant the president did not have the support needed to press ahead with the final breakup of Yugoslavia.
Its supporters celebrated until the early hours of Monday, driving around rain-soaked streets of the main city Podgorica honking horns, waving Yugoslav flags and giving three-fingered Serb salutes as sporadic celebratory gunfire rang out.
But Mr Djukanovic made clear he was committed to the independence course and would seek an alliance with like-minded parties in the small republic of around 650,000 people.
"We will start as soon as tomorrow on making the necessary arrangements to create a government committed to an independent, democratic and pro-European Montenegro," he told a large crowd of supporters chanting his name at a post-election party.
But the partner he needs to form a government, the Liberal Alliance, wants independence quickly and is against any attempts at retaining even a loose alliance with much bigger Serbia.
Analysts said the unexpectedly close result would prolong uncertainty and debate about the future of Yugoslavia at a time when leaders in both Serbia and Montenegro should be concentrating on building democracy and on economic reforms.
"Pro-Yugoslav forces have received a huge boost, making the political situation in this republic even more fragile than it has been to date," said Belgrade-based VIP newsletter.