DSS congratulates Tadić amid speculation on cabinet's fate

This statements coming from Svilanovic and some of the “famous” analysts are not surprising. They should be ashamed to state something like that when we all know that if it was not for Kostunica, Kosovo would be gone long time ago. People underestimate Kostunica a lot but I think that Kostunica is master mind for all of them. I hope the government will survive and that DS and DSS are going to overcome the disputes. National interests should be placed before any personal interests and some people obviously have difficulties to understand this.

Besides, why to blame only Kostunica for withholding his support, what about Cedomir Jovanovic, seems Svilanovic has problem to acknowledge this and to send same critique.

it is shameful that Goran Svilanović would even suggets such a statement if he himself understood what was "honestly best for Serbia".

I am certain that the DS party are more mature then these so called analysts and will just get on with the "hard work" with the government coalition that Tadic suggests rather then create uncertainty. DSS-NS stood by what they believe to be in the best interest of Serbia and have done no harm to the governing coalition by standing to their principle just like Tadic stood to his. The electorate are the ones who showed in huge numbers the future path equally this goes for all (bar the cedomites) that Serbia United in EU is the only way the elections were more to do with which road to take.

I congratulate the whole of Serbia in coming out in such a large number to show the strength of Serbian democracy - that is the biggest winner of these elections. Moreover, the "few" EU cannot but have failed to get a strong message that UN recognised, Sovereign, European ad Democratic Repblic of Serbia is willing to be an equal partner but that is now upto them to show they want a United Serbia or not and no amount of signatures on bits of paper promising distant hopes and aspirations will take Kosovo & Metohija away from Serbia !!!

The analyst is actually correct. This result has marginalised Kostunica's position. He could only guarantee his prefered candidate 7.5% in the first round which is minor by all standards. In any other country a Prime Minister who could only muster that much support would have to resign. He has positioned himself well, by taking that small but vital constituency between the DS and Radicals. However, it is not democratic for the government to be controlled by a figure who only has 7.5% support. A radical or democratic prime minister would more reflect the popular will. However, this presidential election result, would give greater mandate to a democrat prime minister.
Also his withdrawal of support shows how little influence he has, since it is hard to imagine the result would have been any different.
Kostunica's power lies merely in the fact that no other party can quite get a majority, rather than actual public support. This is similar to Italy where minor parties pull all the shots.

Also I do not see how the coalition can survive. If Kostunica cannot support Tadic over Nikolic in an election, how can he support Tadic over Nikolic in the coalition. Also he is shown to have gone against his word, since a common governmental candidate was a coalition agreement. You can say he was 'standing up for his principles' but that obviously does not include keeping his promises, and thus how can anyone ever trust anything he says.

And bmrussila, the difference with Ceda is that he holds no governmental position, and is thus free to support whoever he likes. He is not holding on to political power with minimal public support, nor is he going against promises to his coalition partners.

bmrusila but remember that LDP is not a government ally of DS.

The fact is that DS won this vote without the support of DSS and Nova Srbija. Its not a question of blame, its a question of support and mandate. Tadic has this mandate.

As you know DSS like to play power games in government. Using their own (rather cynical I might say - remember the Nikolic election / abandonment as parliament speaker?) game this means that the relationship within government will change.

Its lucky that DS isnt so cynical. To be that cynical they would threaten an immediate general election. On the other hand if they did that it would delay a Kosovo decleration of independence.
Any election in this moment would blow Kostunica out of the water. I'd say that DSS has to have this in mind.

the winner will not like that a lowly party spokesperson was made to do this. and kostunica anyway needs to be put in his place. his place 1 year ago in general election was number 3. he can thank his blackmail skills for still being pm. now that many of his supporters vote radicals, i guess he would be competing with ldp for that spot in new elections. anyway. good to see that when they sense danger, dss can react quickly. i rather thought they would agonize over this result for days before 'congratulating', maybe even ask for a recount ;) but look, they are reading the signs and even mentioning 'congratulations' and 'government safe' more or less in the same breath. very revealing.
kostunica only crawled into the political light because a democrat dragged him there, djindjic in 2000. maybe its time for another democrat to send him back. hope i dont sound too much like hillary :) wouldnt want that :)

Bruce, bganon,

True, Cedomir Jovanovic and his party do not hold governmental position but I still think that Cedomir was not fair either. Anyway, general elections would not bring us any good at this moment and that must be taken into consideration. I am not sure if general elections would delay Kosovo independence, perhaps it would. What I expect now from the EU is to address to its promises given to Serbia, if not I can see Nikolic and radicals next time running the show in Serbia. However, you all may dislike Kostunica and his party but we have much to thank him and his associates and they have my support. I actually think that DS and DSS work very good together since they deliver the results. Honestly, I see no better coalition. I said many times that Kostunica, Tadic and Jeremic make excellent team.

Mr. Kostunica weak after yesterday's victory to Boris Tadic? No KOstunica was always the weakest point on Serbia's way to democracy and European integration. Like a fox he managed to play with supporters in the West like many Balkan politicians before him. He may have been smarter than others, who where dropped when they no longer were of use for certain countries in the West. 67 percent og the Serbian population spoke yesterday. Give them a chance to speak again. Do the majority support European integration and a better life - support democratic political parties and leave Mr. Kostunica with his leftover from the past.
The victory for Boris Tadic was the first real political victory for the Serbian people. Now the time has come for the Serbian people to continue their support for democracy and European integration.

Have you all forgotten that Kostunica offered his support to Tadic providing he agree to the principles of protecting Serbian territory? Tadic rejected for foolish reasons and thats that.

I mentioned before Tadic you better not celebrate too much half of the country is still against you and DSS is far from ever disintegrating from disintegrating from the political spot light. G17+ (awful name) can blow as much hot air as they like they are the marginal ones in the group. I'm still surprised they are still a party, they might as well just join Tadic and DS since they love him so much.

Go DSS and respect for my PM Kostunica the true Serbian patriot.

I very much doubt there will be new parliamentary elections soon. The only way Tadic can capitalize on yesterday’s victory is if the parliamentary elections were held during February, which is highly unlikely.

If the parliamentary elections are held within 3-5 months of the independence of Kosova and Tadic (as expected) does nothing to jeopardize Serbia’s path to the EU, the Serbian nationalistic mindset will come into play and he will lose the parliamentary elections badly to the SRS and the DSS.

The main reason the EU and the international community supported Tadic, was because they believe he will be able to control the political fallout in Serbia after the declaration of independence by the Kosova Albanians, and the only way he will be able to control such fallout is by sending mixed messages of restraint and punitive action, coming from DS and DSS politicians respectively.

In other words, Tadic will need Kostunica on his “side” after the declaration of independence.

All of this should not concern the Kosova Albanians, who have their own path, but unfortunately for us and fortunately for the Serbs, the Serbian diplomatic machine has managed to make these elections about “life and death” for Europe and have also managed to indirectly control the timing of the west’s actions that will inevitably lead to the independence of Kosova.

The Parliament and the Government of Kosova should send a very powerful message to the EU. We will not remain hostage to political developments in Serbia nor tools to satisfy the Serbs sense of self-importance.

Mr. Kostunica weak after yesterday's victory to Boris Tadic? No KOstunica was always the weakest point on Serbia's way to democracy and European integration. Like a fox he managed to play with supporters in the West like many Balkan politicians before him. He may have been smarter than others, who where dropped when they no longer were of use for certain countries in the West. 67 percent og the Serbian population spoke yesterday. Give them a chance to speak again. Do the majority support European integration and a better life - support democratic political parties and leave Mr. Kostunica with his leftover from the past.
The victory for Boris Tadic was the first real political victory for the Serbian people. Now the time has come for the Serbian people to continue their support for democracy and European integration.

I very much doubt there will be new parliamentary elections soon. The only way Tadic can capitalize on yesterday’s victory is if the parliamentary elections were held during February, which is highly unlikely.

If the parliamentary elections are held within 3-5 months of the independence of Kosova and Tadic (as expected) does nothing to jeopardize Serbia’s path to the EU, the Serbian nationalistic mindset will come into play and he will lose the parliamentary elections badly to the SRS and the DSS.

The main reason the EU and the international community supported Tadic, was because they believe he will be able to control the political fallout in Serbia after the declaration of independence by the Kosova Albanians, and the only way he will be able to control such fallout is by sending mixed messages of restraint and punitive action, coming from DS and DSS politicians respectively.

In other words, Tadic will need Kostunica on his “side” after the declaration of independence.

All of this should not concern the Kosova Albanians, who have their own path, but unfortunately for us and fortunately for the Serbs, the Serbian diplomatic machine has managed to make these elections about “life and death” for Europe and have also managed to indirectly control the timing of the west’s actions that will inevitably lead to the independence of Kosova.

The Parliament and the Government of Kosova should send a very powerful message to the EU. We will not remain hostage to political developments in Serbia nor tools to satisfy the Serbs sense of self-importance.

it is shameful that Goran Svilanović would even suggets such a statement if he himself understood what was "honestly best for Serbia".

I am certain that the DS party are more mature then these so called analysts and will just get on with the "hard work" with the government coalition that Tadic suggests rather then create uncertainty. DSS-NS stood by what they believe to be in the best interest of Serbia and have done no harm to the governing coalition by standing to their principle just like Tadic stood to his. The electorate are the ones who showed in huge numbers the future path equally this goes for all (bar the cedomites) that Serbia United in EU is the only way the elections were more to do with which road to take.

I congratulate the whole of Serbia in coming out in such a large number to show the strength of Serbian democracy - that is the biggest winner of these elections. Moreover, the "few" EU cannot but have failed to get a strong message that UN recognised, Sovereign, European ad Democratic Repblic of Serbia is willing to be an equal partner but that is now upto them to show they want a United Serbia or not and no amount of signatures on bits of paper promising distant hopes and aspirations will take Kosovo & Metohija away from Serbia !!!

bmrusila but remember that LDP is not a government ally of DS.

The fact is that DS won this vote without the support of DSS and Nova Srbija. Its not a question of blame, its a question of support and mandate. Tadic has this mandate.

As you know DSS like to play power games in government. Using their own (rather cynical I might say - remember the Nikolic election / abandonment as parliament speaker?) game this means that the relationship within government will change.

Its lucky that DS isnt so cynical. To be that cynical they would threaten an immediate general election. On the other hand if they did that it would delay a Kosovo decleration of independence.
Any election in this moment would blow Kostunica out of the water. I'd say that DSS has to have this in mind.

the winner will not like that a lowly party spokesperson was made to do this. and kostunica anyway needs to be put in his place. his place 1 year ago in general election was number 3. he can thank his blackmail skills for still being pm. now that many of his supporters vote radicals, i guess he would be competing with ldp for that spot in new elections. anyway. good to see that when they sense danger, dss can react quickly. i rather thought they would agonize over this result for days before 'congratulating', maybe even ask for a recount ;) but look, they are reading the signs and even mentioning 'congratulations' and 'government safe' more or less in the same breath. very revealing.
kostunica only crawled into the political light because a democrat dragged him there, djindjic in 2000. maybe its time for another democrat to send him back. hope i dont sound too much like hillary :) wouldnt want that :)

This statements coming from Svilanovic and some of the “famous” analysts are not surprising. They should be ashamed to state something like that when we all know that if it was not for Kostunica, Kosovo would be gone long time ago. People underestimate Kostunica a lot but I think that Kostunica is master mind for all of them. I hope the government will survive and that DS and DSS are going to overcome the disputes. National interests should be placed before any personal interests and some people obviously have difficulties to understand this.

Besides, why to blame only Kostunica for withholding his support, what about Cedomir Jovanovic, seems Svilanovic has problem to acknowledge this and to send same critique.

The analyst is actually correct. This result has marginalised Kostunica's position. He could only guarantee his prefered candidate 7.5% in the first round which is minor by all standards. In any other country a Prime Minister who could only muster that much support would have to resign. He has positioned himself well, by taking that small but vital constituency between the DS and Radicals. However, it is not democratic for the government to be controlled by a figure who only has 7.5% support. A radical or democratic prime minister would more reflect the popular will. However, this presidential election result, would give greater mandate to a democrat prime minister.
Also his withdrawal of support shows how little influence he has, since it is hard to imagine the result would have been any different.
Kostunica's power lies merely in the fact that no other party can quite get a majority, rather than actual public support. This is similar to Italy where minor parties pull all the shots.

Also I do not see how the coalition can survive. If Kostunica cannot support Tadic over Nikolic in an election, how can he support Tadic over Nikolic in the coalition. Also he is shown to have gone against his word, since a common governmental candidate was a coalition agreement. You can say he was 'standing up for his principles' but that obviously does not include keeping his promises, and thus how can anyone ever trust anything he says.

And bmrussila, the difference with Ceda is that he holds no governmental position, and is thus free to support whoever he likes. He is not holding on to political power with minimal public support, nor is he going against promises to his coalition partners.

Bruce, bganon,

True, Cedomir Jovanovic and his party do not hold governmental position but I still think that Cedomir was not fair either. Anyway, general elections would not bring us any good at this moment and that must be taken into consideration. I am not sure if general elections would delay Kosovo independence, perhaps it would. What I expect now from the EU is to address to its promises given to Serbia, if not I can see Nikolic and radicals next time running the show in Serbia. However, you all may dislike Kostunica and his party but we have much to thank him and his associates and they have my support. I actually think that DS and DSS work very good together since they deliver the results. Honestly, I see no better coalition. I said many times that Kostunica, Tadic and Jeremic make excellent team.

Have you all forgotten that Kostunica offered his support to Tadic providing he agree to the principles of protecting Serbian territory? Tadic rejected for foolish reasons and thats that.

I mentioned before Tadic you better not celebrate too much half of the country is still against you and DSS is far from ever disintegrating from disintegrating from the political spot light. G17+ (awful name) can blow as much hot air as they like they are the marginal ones in the group. I'm still surprised they are still a party, they might as well just join Tadic and DS since they love him so much.

Go DSS and respect for my PM Kostunica the true Serbian patriot.