Nikolić: SRS-DSS coalition, best govt.

SRS deputy leader Tomislav Nikolic says the best government for Serbia would be an SRS-DSS coalition. “I am convinced the Serb Radical Party (SRS) will be the strongest party after the elections. I wish we could form a government by ourselves, but it is realistic to expect that we will have to form a coalition. I always keep my word, and after the elections we will offer to form a government with the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS),” Nikolic told today's issue of daily Vecernje Novosti. Nikolic: SRS-DSS coalition, best govt. According to the SRS deputy leader, in such a coalition of parties whose political platforms have become almost identical, it makes no difference who the prime minister will be. “I am sure that this prime minister would not do anything contrary to the interests of the government, state or agreement reached between the coalition partners,” he said. Asked whether that meant that he might let DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica retain the post of prime minister, Nikolic answered that “anything is possible.” The SRS leader said that he would discuss the issue of a post-election coalition with Kostunica after the elections. “Our offer is on the table, and it is up to the DSS to decide. However, nothing prevents Kostunica from forming a government with (President Boris) Tadic,” he pointed out, though he added that “thechances are slim” of Tadic and Kostunica reaching an agreement on the issue. Nikolic said that the Socialists could not be partners in the new government, but pointed out that “the minority parties would be welcome to join.” Tomislav Nikolic (FoNet, archive)

Nikolić: SRS-DSS coalition, best govt.

According to the SRS deputy leader, in such a coalition of parties whose political platforms have become almost identical, it makes no difference who the prime minister will be.

“I am sure that this prime minister would not do anything contrary to the interests of the government, state or agreement reached between the coalition partners,” he said.

Asked whether that meant that he might let DSS leader Vojislav Koštunica retain the post of prime minister, Nikolić answered that “anything is possible.”

The SRS leader said that he would discuss the issue of a post-election coalition with Koštunica after the elections.

“Our offer is on the table, and it is up to the DSS to decide. However, nothing prevents Koštunica from forming a government with (President Boris) Tadić,” he pointed out, though he added that “thechances are slim” of Tadić and Koštunica reaching an agreement on the issue.

Nikolić said that the Socialists could not be partners in the new government, but pointed out that “the minority parties would be welcome to join.”