Kosovo stands of the Serbian presidential candidates

However, Belgrade analysts believe that only two candidates stand a chance of winning - current President Boris Tadic, who is also the leader of the Democratic Party, and Serbian Radical Party representative Tomislav Nikolic.

According to the Serbian law, a president will be elected in the first round if one of the candidates wins more than 50 percent of votes. If that is not the case, the two candidates with the biggest number of votes will enter the second round, due on February 3. In the second round, the winner will be the one who manages to win the majority of votes.

Kosovo has been one of the most important topics of all nine candidates' presidential campaigns. Just one candidate, Cedomir Jovanovic of the Liberal Democrats, openly advocates the independence of Kosovo.

According to a poll conducted by the Belgrade NGO -- the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) -- Radical Party candidate Tomislav Nikolic will win the most votes in the first round of election, while the outcome of the second round depends on Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's support.

Tadic will be closer to victory in the second round if he is backed by all ruling coalition partners, primarily by Prime Minister Kostunica.

Stands of the candidates on Kosovo:

Boris Tadic (Democratic Party) - has stressed that Serbia will never recognize Kosovo's independence, and that a status resolution should be found within the UN Security Council. Insists that Serbia should not give up either Kosovo or European integrations. Has said that Serbia is ready to intervene in Kosovo if it receives a call from KFOR.

Tomislav Nikolic (Serbian Radical Party) - strongly opposes Kosovo's independence, has said that the EU has no right to take the province away from Serbia. Has pointed out that Serbia must protect the Kosovo Serbs, but cannot wage war with NATO. Advocates closer ties with Russia.

Velimir Ilic (New Serbia) - has said that Serbia should join the EU, but in its integral form and proudly, i.e. only with Kosovo as a part of it. Supports the state policy on Kosovo - independence is unacceptable, and a solution should be sought in the UN Security Council or through talks between Belgrade and Pristina.

Milutin Mrkonjic (Socialist Party of Serbia) - independence of Kosovo is unacceptable. During the campaign, he claimed that Serbia was obligated to defend its compatriots in Kosovo, even with the use of arms if necessary.

Istvan Pastor (Union of Vojvodina's Hungarians) - has advocated a peaceful resolution of the Kosovo crisis that will guarantee peace and safety for the local Serbs. Has said that the case of Kosovo and the Hungarians' position in Serbia are incomparable cases. Favors the stand that Serbia should become an EU and NATO member as soon as possible, and must not isolate itself over Kosovo.

Cedomir Jovanovic (Liberal Democratic Party) - the only candidate to openly advocate the independence of Kosovo and implementation of the Ahtisaari plan. Claims that Serbia lost Kosovo in 1999 due to Milosevic's policy.

Milanka Mara Karic (Movement Strength of Serbia)- favors the position that Kosovo's independence is unacceptable for Serbia. Advocates economic cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina, saying that economic prosperity would ease tensions over the status issue.

Jugoslav Dobricanin (Reformist Party) - has urged the EU not to create new borders within Serbia and to enable the Serbs to remain at the homes they have been living in for centuries.

Marijan Risticevic (People's Peasants Party) - has said that the focal point of his presidential program are strong agriculture and the preservation of Kosovo within Serbia. He also said that everyone was obligated to respect Serbia's sovereignty, and that the president's duty was to send the army to the province.

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