Radical elected Parliament Speaker

Radical elected Parliament Speaker

Democratic Party (DS) candidate for the post Milena Milošević received 99 votes with strong backing from the DS, G17 Plus, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (LSV) and minority party deputies.

The vote was held after 15 hours of heated debate.

Upon assuming the office of the Speaker, Nikolić scheduled a continuation of the session for Tuesday at 2 p.m. at which the Parliament will elect deputy speakers and parliamentary committees.

According to Nikolić, the support he received from Koštunica’s party, the DSS, was exclusively limited to the parliamentary majority needed to secure his appointment:

“We have cut no deals with the DSS regarding other issues, which we deem impossible at the moment. We do not intend to either enter or back any government option. Our collaboration with other parties is based in the Parliament only,” he said.

"I am not a danger to Serbia nor to anyone's children, as I heard said in parliament tonight," he added.

G17 Plus: DSS paranoia

G17 Plus leader Mlađan Dinkić told the assembly last night, addressing the DSS and NSS lawmakers in particular, that their argument according to which Democrats’ president Tadič followed orders form Brussels and Strasbourg was a mere "delusion and paranoia coming from one of Koštunica’s advisers."

“Tadić is as patriotic as Koštunica,” Dinkić said.

He argued that DSS’ decision to back Tomislav Nikolić’s candidacy was made out of spite and represented a provocation.

“As if the DSS wants to show the DS what can occur if the game is not played under their terms,” he argued deeming such a game "dangerous and with grave consequences."

Liberals: Tadić to call elections

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has appealed to president and DS leader Boris Tadić to stop any ongoing cabinet talks with the Democratic Party of Serbia and call new parliamentary elections.

“We believe it is the only way Serbian citizens could chose between pro-European reforms and isolation,” the statement said.

“it is the last opportunity for the Democrats to define their position and preferred course,” the LDP opined.

“It is now up to the DS to decide whether it will side with the LDP and all citizens in favor of a modern, democratic and European Serbia and turn its back on those who made Serbia appear totalitarian and counter-democratic,” the statement ends.