Montenegro delays inauguration of new government

(PODGORICA) - Montenegro's parliament postponed by 24 hours a vote to approve Prime Minister-designate Milo Djukanovic's new cabinet at the request of a fractious opposition, the body's speaker said Monday.

"The meeting was postponed to tomorrow (Tuesday) at the demand of the opposition," Ranko Krivokapic told journalists.

Krivokapic said the opposition had asked for the delay so that they could resolve some internal wrangling, adding that he accepted the request in "a gesture of goodwill".

The opposition was in crisis talks on Monday over local mayoral elections.

Djukanovic's centre-left coalition won October 14 elections and achieved a majority in the 81-seat parliament through an alliance with several small parties.

The main task of Montenegro's new government will be to lead the European Union accession talks for the small Adriatic nation that opened in June.

Djukanovic has been at the centre of power in the tiny Balkan country since the 1990s, and will be serving as premier for the fourth time since independence.