Kosovo-related issues key for Serb elections
Voter positions on the status of Kosovo, but also on related issues such as relations with the European Union following its coordination of Pristina’s declaration of indepedendence, are likely to be the key for the outcome of the May 11 Serbian parliamentary elections.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, May 09, 2008
All parties - except the minor opposition Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) - are strongly opposed to Kosovo's secession and have vowed never to recognize it.
However, the main rift has been created on how to relate to the EU following its position on Kosovo and the fact that 19 out of 27 EU countries have recognized Pristina's secession.
The Serbian Radical Party (SRS) of Tomislav Nikolic, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and the Socialist Party (SPS) of Ivica Dacic have all opposed entering contractual relations with the EU before Brussels clarifies whether it recognizes Serbia under its UN borders (including Kosovo) or not.
The coalition around the Democratic Party (DS) of President Boris Tadic has on the other side said that the EU integration process and the fight for Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo can go hand in hand, as well that the issue of the borders can be resolved down the road.
The polls predict a solid majority for the SRS, DSS and SPS, which does not mean that they will necessarily form a new government.
Some 6, 7 million voters are registered for the parliamentary and local elections.
For the first time since 1999, Belgrade will organize not only parliamentary but also local elections in Kosovo.
