Elections in Tuzi, Albanian coalition leads indiependent Tuzi after vote

Elections in Tuzi, Albanian coalition leads indiependent Tuzi after vote

Today's date is one that will be prescribed into the history books, as it represents the date that the, predominately Albanian, region of the Municipality of Tuzi in Montenegro voted in favor of claiming independence from Podgorica.
The elections to determine the Mayor of Tuzi were held yesterday.
Shortly before midnight, the Municipal Election Commission announced the winner as being a coalition of three Albanian parties entitled "Highland unites us", led by candidate Nik Gjeloshaj.
Albanian parties have received approximately 3700 votes or 50% of the total, thus securing 16 mandates and a victory for Tuzi.
They were followed by the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro with 1200 votes or less than 31%, and the Bosnian minority Party with 12%.
The Albanian Alliance won about 3700 votes out of 32 possible in the Council, which forces it to co-govern with another political partner in order to secure the absolute majority.Among the acclamations and patriotic songs of the sympathizers and members of the Diaspora, Gjeloshaj stressed that the united Albanians will continue the agenda for the development of the region.The Albanians of the Diaspora also expressed their enthusiasm, among them Albanian-American Mark Gjonaj, a member of the New York City Council in the US.
Victory celebrations on the streets of Tuzi were massive, during which citizens could be seen waving the Albanian flag as a show of joy with their fellow patriots.
The election which took place on Sunday saw voter participation rates reach nearly 60% of the total 11,900.
Observers praised that the elections were held without major or democratic incidents, although they did note reported vote-buying allegations to the detriment of the Albanian coalition.

EMISIONET