Montenegro in independence vote

BBC: The people of Montenegro have begun voting in a referendum on independence from Serbia.

The former Yugoslav republic currently forms part of the union of Serbia and Montenegro and is deeply divided over the independence issue.

The pro-independence bloc needs at least 55% of votes cast for victory.

If people do vote for independence, it would mark the final dissolution of the former Yugoslavia and create Europe's newest state.

There are strong cultural, economic and family ties with neighbouring Serbia.

Those who oppose independence say all of these will be affected in a negative way if Montenegro breaks away from Serbia.

Sunday best

Queues formed early at polling stations, which opened at 0800 local time (0600 GMT).


MONTENEGRO'S CHOICE
Population: 670,000
Last remaining ex-Yugoslav republic tied to Serbia
Already has autonomy, uses Euro not Serbian dinar
Prime minister and many ethnic Montenegrins driving for independence
Belgrade and many ethnic Serbs are opposed

Montenegro's divided people
Q&A: Montenegro referendum

There was a steady stream of voters. One man said: "This is the most important day for Montenegro in 100 years."

The polls are due to close at 2100 (1900 GMT) and first official results are expected on Monday, though election monitors are hoping to have an accurate prediction by midnight.

Voters, some of them dressed in their Sunday best clothes, pondered the referendum question: "Do you want Montenegro to be an independent state with full international and legal legitimacy?"

The build-up to the vote had reached a climax on Saturday night, with independence supporters setting off fireworks, blaring car horns and draping the national flag from their balconies.

Diaspora vote

The campaign for independence has been led by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who argues it will bring faster European integration and a stronger economy.

In the days running up to the vote, thousands of Montenegrins living abroad have travelled home in order to cast their ballot.

With a population of fewer than 700,000, it is these votes from the diaspora that could ultimately decide the fate of the republic, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in the capital Podgorica.

Supporter of union with Serbia
Opponents of independence are worried about the economy

The last time Montenegro was independent was nearly 90 years ago at the end of World War I, when it was absorbed into the newly formed Yugoslavia.

Under a European Union-brokered deal, the independence bloc needs 55% of the vote to be successful.

One of the key questions is what happens if a majority do vote for independence but the 55% threshold is not reached, our correspondent says.

Despite the peaceful run-up to the vote, some observers have expressed fears that the result of the referendum - whatever it is - could trigger a spasm of violence.

There is a precedent in the Balkans, with the Bosnian war beginning on the day the country voted for independence in 1992.

But these fears were played down by Prime Minister Djukanovic, who said: "The security forces are ready, but I'm sure there won't be trouble. We have learned our history lesson."