Montenegro's president has asked controversial ruling party leader Milo Djukanovic to once again become the nation's prime minister.

President Filip Vujanovic announced the appointment of the former president and prime minister Friday after Mr. Djuknovic's candidacy was put forward by his Democratic Party of Socialists, or DPS.

The party won the former Yugoslav republic's parliamentary elections last month, paving the way for the long-serving politician's formal return to power.

Mr. Djuknovic has served as either prime minister or president of Montenegro for all but the last two of the past 20 years. In 1991, he became Europe's youngest prime minister at the age of 29, when communist Yugoslavia collapsed and DPS came to power. He stepped down from the government in 2010 to run a private business.

Mr. Djuknovic has been investigated internationally for alleged involvement in corruption and organized crime.

He must now propose a cabinet to parliament and receive the parliament's support for his choices.

The political changes in Montenegro come as the country seeks membership in the European Union and battles a deep economic crisis.