Three hours after the polling stations in the country closed, the opposition rightist coalition 'For Montenegro's Future' declared victory over the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), which, however, said it alone won 30 seats and together with the coalition would have 40 mandates.

The final results have not been published yet, but if the opposition were right, that would be the end of DPS’ rule after three decades.

 The coalition leader Zdravko Krivokapic said the opposition won 42 out of 81 Parliament seats and DPS 39.

“Important things are happening in Montenegro. I have been waiting to say this for long – the Berlin Wall has fallen,” he said.

However, analysts warn that it is not over yet, since DPS “has always managed to gather majority,” adding that it will be much more difficult this time.

Four hours after the end of voting, Milo Djukanovic, the head of state and the leader of DPS, told reporters it emerged as the strongest single party with 30 Parliament's seats and that with its coalition it would have 40 mandates.

He added that the result is based on 90 percent of votes counted.

 “All participants in the elections scored serious results. We will see who will get one mandate for the necessary 41-seat majority after all votes are counted,” Djukanovic said, adding the DPS Sunday's result was great and promised it would continue to lead the country along the European road.

First preliminary results showed DPS and opposition neck and neck.

Krivokapic pledged with supporters to stay at home “to avoid provocations the regime is ready for,” promising there wouldn't be revenge against anyone.

“Christians are not vindictive,” he said.

His coalition supported the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) which said the Law aimed at taking over its property in Montenegro and made that the main topic in the election campaign by launching mass protests against it which caused high tensions ahead of the Sunday's vote.

 But, he announced that a new government would revise the disputed Law on Religious Freedom to make it fair, pass a law on the origin of property and that those found responsible for wrongdoings would be brought to justice.

 Earlier, Podgorica's Center for Monitoring (CeMI) first preliminary results showed the general election race was tight with the ruling DPS had 34.2 while the opposition coalition “For Montenegro's Future” 33.7 percent after 72.5 percent of the votes counted.

The turnout for the fifth general elections since Montenegro declared independence in 2006 was 75 percent, slightly higher than four years ago.

Suppose the final results confirm the opposition victory, Djukanovic, whose presidential mandate lasts for another three years, will, for the first time since 1991, have to cooperate with a government formed by his political opponents.