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Montenegrins Want Vote on Joining NATO
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Montenegro refuse the notion of their young country joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and want a referendum on the matter, according to a poll by Cedem. 43.3 per cent of respondents oppose Montenegro entering NATO, while 30 per cent support the idea.
In addition, 69.9 per cent of respondents think Montenegro’s citizens should ultimately decide in a referendum whether the country should enter the military alliance.
The remnants of the Yugoslav Federation were transformed into Serbia and Montenegro in February 2003. In May 2006, Montenegro voted to establish "an independent state with full international and legal subjectivity" in a referendum. In June, the Assembly of the Republic issued its formal Declaration of Independence.
In April 2008, NATO invited Montenegro to enter the group. Later that year, Montenegro officially applied to join the European Union (EU). Slovenia—also a former component of Yugoslavia—joined the EU in 2004.
Also in April 2008, Montenegro held its first presidential election since independence. Incumbent Filip Vujanovic of the Democratic Party of Montenegrin Socialists (DPSCG) was re-elected with 51.9 per cent of all cast ballots.
In March, Montenegrin prime minister Milo Djukanovic secured a sixth term in office, after his Coalition for European Montenegro garnered 51.94 per cent of the vote in an early legislative election.
Djukanovic said that Montenegro’s "strategic plans"—such as joining both NATO and the EU—will remain "the government’s priority."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose Montenegro joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
|
|
Jun. 2009 |
Mar. 2008 |
Jun. 2007 |
|
Support |
30.0% |
33.1% |
32.9% |
|
Oppose |
43.3% |
43.1% |
39.7% |
|
No opinion |
26.7% |
23.8% |
27.4% |
Who should decide on Montenegro joining NATO?
|
Citizens in a referendum |
69.9% |
|
Montenegrin Parliament |
7.1% |
|
Montenegrin government |
5.3% |
|
Montenegrin military leaders |
2.9% |
|
NATO members |
2.0% |
|
Not sure |
12.8% |
Source: Cedem
Methodology: Interviews with 1,015 Montenegro adults, conducted from Jun. 11 to Jun. 19, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.