Podgorica - The Montenegrin parliament dissolved itself late Monday, paving the way for early elections, expected to be scheduled for March 29.

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's ruling coalition pushed the dissolution of the assembly through, saying it wanted to win a new four-year term for reforms, taking Montenegro closer to the European Union.

The opposition criticized the move, accusing the authorities of panicking amid the growing pressure of the global financial crisis.

President Filip Vujanovic was expected to announce the day of the polls later on Tuesday. (dpa)