Serbian election dilemma by Lenka Filipova

Presidential election in Serbia is coming soon and Serbs are forced to choose between two evils, e. i. whether to vote for nationalist Tomislav Nikolic (sympathizing with Russia) or for a liberal President Boris Tadic (preferring the West). The first round has already taken the place, putting Nikolic ahead with 40 percent of votes and pro-western Tadic as second with 35.4 percent. The second round happened yesterday and the third run-off is planned on February 3rd. Fortunately, both candidates strongly oppose the breakaway of Kosovo as it has been expected just after the second vote round. This issue seems to be the most significant factor for Serbs. It has been proclaimed by analysts that more than 61 percent Serbs went for Sunday's election. This is attributed to the importance of historical Kosovo to Serbs and mainly Albanian for whom it is an issue of independence. Analyst Zoran Stojiljkovic said that it would require a "maximum mobilization by both candidates". As Tadic is leading only slightly the tough "battle" is expected. People will have to make difficult, and what is more, really crucial decision whether to become part of Europe or be against it. There have been some doubts of Russian baking due to the fact that Serbia has never really had a close relationship with Russia since the Soviet Union. But this has changed as countenance over Kosovo has joined them with the feeling of Slavic brotherhood. Hence, there is necessity for both candidates to attract people with job and security promises as well as maintenance of Kosovo. The rest is left on people whether they will show their resentment to EU or they will express their will to be a member of EU development

by Lenka Filipova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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