Serbs face crucial runoff vote
A decisive runoff is now set for February 3rd in Serbia
Monday, 21, Jan 2008 11:35
Serbians will be offered a clear choice between Europe and Russia after yesterday's inconclusive presidential election first round proved inconclusive.
Nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic took around 38 per cent to incumbent Boris Tadic's 35 per cent in yesterday's vote, setting up a decisive second round on February 3rd.
The imminent secession of Serbia's Kosovo province in the next few months is dominating the country's politics at present. The move is favoured by the European Union but opposed by Russia.
In relatively high turnout of over 60 per cent the ultranationalist challenger Mr Nikolic won the most support.
His Serbian Radical party (SRS) opposes the European Union and Nato and has been critical of the United Nations war crimes tribunals.
While he favours a move towards Russia and away from EU integration, he and pro-western Mr Tadic agree on Kosovo.
Both presidential candidates oppose full independence for the province of 1.9 million people, despite its ethnic Albanian majority's quest for separation being backed by most EU member states and the US.
Despite similar views on Kosovo, however, Mr Tadic yesterday said a victory for his rival could see a return to the "turmoil and uncertainty" of the last decade.
"But I am certain the people will not allow this, they will vote for stability and economic progress, for a better life for their families," he explained.
And Mr Nikolic has moved to soothe fears his election could signal a new era of Serbian isolation.
"I have not said goodbye to the west," he insisted. "I said we could be with you, and that we can sign whatever you want, but do not touch Serbia."
Analysts say nationalist prime minister Vojislav Kostunica could prove kingmaker. The right-winger had supported third-placed candidate Velimir Ilic and is expected to transfer his backing to Mr Nikolic.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said this morning: "We are confident that Serbia will continue to pursue its European course and we are convinced that progress towards the EU can be accelerated."