PODGORICA, Montenegro (AFP)--Montenegrin Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic, the first in the post since independence in 2006, said Thursday he was resigning because of poor health.
"I want to inform you that I am resigning from the post of prime minister of the Montenegrin government due to health reasons," Sturanovic said in a resignation letter sent to the parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic, a copy of which was obtained by AFP.
Sturanovic, 48, took up the post in November 2006 after his Democratic Party of Socialists won elections. He has been receiving treatment over the past year for a rare form of lung cancer.
"Medical therapy in the coming months anticipates that I reduce working engagements," Sturanovic said in the letter.
Sturanovic's resignation had been expected, prompting speculation in Podgorica of a comeback for former prime minister Milo Djukanovic, the architect of Montenegro's independence.
Djukanovic stepped down in October 2006 after 16 years in politics, saying he was tired of politics and wanted to focus on business.
A source close to the DPS leadership, Djukanovic's return was unavoidable because of government plans for a "more active approach to the European Union."
The same source said that Djukanovic was "reluctantly coming back to professional politics."
(END)
Dow Jones Newswires
01-31-081003ET
Copyright (c) 2008
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
2 comments:
Dukanovic is BACK!!!!
The same old Balkan shuffling taking place. Why not have an emergency election? The point is to presere the party.
I can't imagine Dukanovic will last long without strong opposition to his past and his broken promises to the people/minorities of Montenegro.
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