Podgorica - Apart from corruption allegations thrown at Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's cabinet, the Montenegrin opposition also based its campaign for yesterday's snap poll on the prophecy of an economic meltdown.

The electorate did not buy the message and Djukanovic's bloc annihilated the opposition by winning an absolute majority to extend its administration into a third decade.

"The claims of imminent bankruptcy are utter nonsense," Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Igor Luksic told the German Press Agency dpa in Podgorica on Monday.

Podgorica  - Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic retained "the throne" by shattering opposition in Sunday's snap poll and winning an absolute majority to govern over the next four years, local newspapers said Monday.

"Djukanovic on the throne again," a headline in the daily Vijesti said Monday. Pobijeda described the election result as a "triumph of (Djukanovic's) coalition."

Podgorica - Montenegrins go to the polls Sunday to vote for the next parliament, with Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic apparently set to extend his administration into a third decade.

Djukanovic, 47, and his Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) called the election 18 months early to secure another four-year term saying they need it to implement reforms for closer ties with the European Union.

Podgorica - Montenegrins will vote in early parliamentary polls on Sunday, but though their country is teetering on the verge of a major economic crisis, the only issue is whether Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic will barely win again, or win an absolute majority.

The country's top exporter, the Podgorica aluminium combine KAP, is about to collapse under the burden of debts running into hundreds of millions of dollars. The 2,700 workers, who have received no payment in months are now planning to launch massive public protests.

Paris  - Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovich on Monday handed over his country's official EU membership application to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the current EU president.

Also present at the meeting was EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, who said, "the European perspective given to the Balkan countries is essential for the stability and prosperity of the region and the EU."

Podgorica - Montenegro will begin the process of applying for membership of the European Union on Monday, local media reported Friday.

"Montenegro believes in European ideals" and this decision is the "beginning of most important and demanding phase that precedes the full membership of Montenegro in the European Union, " the government said in a statement.

Montenegro will hand in its application in Paris during the meeting of Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and French president Nicolas Sarkozy.