SPS: SRS/DSS principles incontrovertible

if that happens, the SPS is dead.

siding with Tadic´s DS would undermine the last bit of SPS´ credibility...

and would very likely not last for a full legislative period.

I think it is clear that Blic is making more then is the case over a highly unlikely DS tie up with SPS-PUPS-JS with talks happening today with DSS and SRS. As stated openly by SPS deputy leader Žarko Obradović and S leader Markovic who's first prefrence is with Kostunica while, even discussing with DS

"only if talks with the DSS-NS fall through"

i.e. it is up to SRS-DS-NS to ensure SPS-PUPS-JS agree and and thus lets get on with governing ALL of Serbia by standing (Устани) proud, supporting (Подржи) economic development for all and going forward (Напред) !!!

bganon, after reading B92 for a few months now, it is quite obvious where its loyalties lie.

If you want to believe rumours and the possibility that DSS/SRS or even SPS would fall out with each other at this crucial stage, then it is quite obvious why you would vote DS.

All this information on the grapevine, the smoke and mirrors, the mud throwing, the cheating, lying and deceit are all done for one purpose - and that is to get the DS into government! But I can assure you that is very unlikely to happen.

It is just a sign of desperation because the powers of the US/EU do not like to lose. So the sooner this nonsense is swept aside the better.

The only workable government is SPS/DSS/SRS. It is a marriage made to be.

So the DSS and NS are talking to the SRS who are talking to the SPS and PUPS and JS who are talking to the DS and G17 Plus who are not talking to DSS and NS who are talking to the SRS who are ......excuse me while I get a headache pill.

That's better!

How about a Government of National Unity, combining elements of DS, DSS, NS, G17, SRS? Could it work? If they all have the interests of Serbia at heart, it could.

Serbia needs a sustained concentration on the economy to create jobs, raise living standards, improve social services and bring confidence back to the country. Surely there are enough intelligent, committed politicians among the above to set this in motion with or without the EU. While this is underway, another part of the government can continue the diplomatic offensive on Kosovo.

Forget all the harsh words before the election - that's all they were. Everybody says they want to boost the economy, everybody says that Kosovo is Serbia, so let them do it then and cut out all the nonsense and back-biting and insults.

If this current generation of politicians do not pull together for the sake of the country then it will be time for the people to take to the streets again and throw them all out. Serbia deserves better than this current circus.

More deceit coming from the DS. Don't they ever stop?

There is absolutely no chance the DSS will allow the SPS to slip away. It is almost a done deal and this attempted forced marriage between the SPS and DS is just not going to work.

But whatever happens, expect the Milosevics home again. I'm not sure why the SPS insist on the Dayton accords remaining in place. Perhaps some secret deal is tied to it?

However, they also seem to instist on a European path but only with Kosovo. This is fine but is unlikely to develop given that SPS policy with the Hague would be voluntary.

Time will tell!

Tadic stop with the spin and let others get on with governing as our people in Kosovo need a strong Serbian government wiling to stand up(Устани).

Read this report and understand the urgency needed now not tomorrow but now in ensuring Serbia's Ssovereignty;
Kosovo killers part 1
http://www.kp.ru/daily/24096.5/324917/
Kosovo killers part 2
http://rostov.kp.ru/daily/24097/325320/
kosovo Killers part 3
http://www.dv.kp.ru/daily/24097/325325/

The US and EU see Tadic, DS and Co. as a push over and someone they can help solve their self made problem simply by eradicating all the last vestigages of Serbian existance in kosovo as quoted by in his briefing, de Marnhac french general Kosovo Force (KFOR);

"In the mid to long term there will be some kind of biological end to the problem here because, you know, one of the population(s) will simply disappear," he said."
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28278931.htm

One wonders why Tadic and co are willing to comply in this 'biological solution' which the Frech Genea want to implement???

Tadic stand aside and let the will of the poeple be implemented by governing ALL of Serbia by standing (Устани) proud, supporting (Подржи) economic development for all and going forward (Напред) !!!

This can be the best news for Serbia. The country needs to focus on it's people not Kosovo.
Virtually all the youth want to leave, the country is rotting under them and all anyone talks about is Kosovo which has been lost for a long time now. After 4 lost wars and the
loss of it's jewel, Montenegro it's time we realized that being hard headed only makes for more losses. What on earth will you do with 2 million hostile Albanians? Serbia's future rests with good relations with the EU and Russia not one or the other.
If this coalition succeeds then at least they have a chance.If not all foreign investment will cease and we will be the poorest country in Europe after Albania.

Tadic is really spinning with such desperate hype as;

"The majority of citizens voted for the policies of continued European integration and preservation of Kosovo within Serbia, which I campaigned for during the presidential elections. "

- he forgot to add that he then was stabbed in the back ET TU EU with their illegal INLEX (lawless) mission that the EU planned regardless of who won the Presidential elections. Beyond which he failed to ascertain what the 'individual' EU states interpretation is on the signing of SAA post illegal delcataion of dependence and we all know how the ones who act illegally perceive Serbia's sovereignty;

"My understanding is that we signed the agreement with Serbia itself, without Kosovo, Minister de Gucht said."

Solana states it is SAA neutral and that is a clear signal that the indivual states can act illegally and EU dont care nor consider Serbia an equal partner who's soverignty is worth anthing to them. But, the EU do care about Georgia's soverignity and territorial integrity to go on the public record;

"Minister Rupel also pointed out that the European Union supported the efforts to resolve issues concerning both seceded regions, particularly through participation in the initiatives to re-establish trust in the region. Dr Rupel gave his assurance that the European Union supported the territorial integrity of Georgia; he welcomed the recent contacts with Russia and supported the dialogue between the two countries.

Dr Rupel concluded by stressing the high strategic importance of the cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region and pointed to the safety of the energy supply, an issue of strategic importance to this region"
http://www.eu2008.si/en/News_and_Documents/Press_Releases/February/0205MZZ_Gruzija.html

Yes Tadic you may have won your Presidency but since then you have done nothing to act positively for Serbia's soverignity and territorial integrity and the fact that your coalition list did well gives the Cezechs a signal to try illegal recognition shows how little respect is given by EU states to Serbia's soverignity with you and your party at the helm!!!

Its time DS stood aside with all the spin and let SRS-DSS-NS-SPS-PUPS-JS get on with governing ALL of Serbia by standing (Устани) proud, supporting (Подржи) economic development for all and going forward (Напред) !!!

The DS and DSS came to power by organising a Putsch against the SPS. Since their founding the DS and DSS have made political capital by attacking the SPS and labelling them as “Fascist,” “Nazi,” “Communist.”

Things have changed and both parties are now courting the SPS.

The leader of the SPS, Ivica Dačić, should make political and symbolic demands of those now seeking SPS support to form a government.

The distribution of Ministries is part of the political negotiations. On the symbolic front the SPS should demand a State funeral for President Milosevic and a year a two later it should demand that a Belgrade boulevard be named after him.

The SPS should force the DS and DSS to eat their words about Milosevic and the SPS.

"rumors", he? Is that news?

It is amazing how low Tadic would stoop only to be elected. Now he would like to woo in the SPS, a party that has nothing in common with the DS. The same party that handed over the leader of the SPS to the Hague, and the same party that has criticized the SPS. If Tadic had any interest in the integrity of Serbia, what is he doing with the likes of Jovanovic and Canak. Seems like he could not care less who he forms a government with, just as long as he is in power to sell off the rest of Serbia. Personally, who ever the US and EU endorse, Serbs beware!!

Should the socialists join a coalition with the DS they would completley allienate their political base and have no one to vote for them in the next election. If we can all agree on one thing, In Serbia, the next election can come at any time.

blic is neither serbian nor newspaper, it´s western wishful thinking. that says all about it´s seriosity ...

dr. kostunica isn´t stupid and not the first day in politics.

of course sps can reach an agreement with the list for canaks serbia (or how the election-losers call themself today), and then enjoy the last 4 years of existence (but with a club-card of europes socialist movement) by acting against the will of their electorate.

dacic knows best that the reform of pensions funds isn´t changeable, but he can do a lot for his electorate by money from the oligarchs behind srs and dss AND the national investment plan.

ZK I think that the mud slinging and lying during this campaign was done mostly by DSS, more than both DS and SRS which have held consistent policies, even if they are against each other.

The voters also saw this by punishing DSS at the ballot box. Truly, that party would have had trouble reaching the census had it stood not been beefed up by the 5-6 percent gained by Ilic in inner Serbia. Thats a damning indictment on Vojislav Kostunica.

Talking realistically without the populist language what is it about now. Darkened rooms and conspiracies? Or negotiations between parties which seek to fulfill their self interest - not the naive that think it has anything to do with the national interest.

SPS will go where they think their best interest is served. As you might have heard some are speculating that SRS have offered (or bribed, if we insist on using the kind of language you like) Dacic the post of Prime Minister. Of course this leaves Kostunica out of a job so no wonder SPS and DSS have a lot to talk about. And this still doesn't resolve Markovic's reservations of a radical led government.

Workable government? Lets see. We would have Dacic as Prime Minister. Kostunica thinking he was Prime Minister. Seselj knowing he was Prime Minister and Nikolic wishing he was Prime Minister.

I think that this lot all together would make the worst days of DOS look organised and competent. Unworkable is precisely the term I'd use.

Even though Tadic's coalition gained themost votes of all other parties, he must remember that a little over 60% of the population did not vote for him.

In politics, self-preservation is far more important than principle. SPS knows they'd be swallowed up by the SRS and serve as the ugly stepchild in an SRS-DSS-SPS coalition. In a DS coalition, they can finally join the Socialist International and earn a secure place in Serbia's political spectrum by becoming a respectable social democratic party. Those of us who have trouble even looking at the likes of Dacic and Mrkonjic will have to swallow hard and console ourselves with the most important result of a DS-SPS coalition: Kostunica's good riddance and the DSS's slow decline from our political scene.

It took almost 20 years, but it looks like some people are finally starting to figure out that the SPS is not a nationalist party. The party platform has not changed one iota since the 1990s when Milosevic was in charge. The SPS is not a "reformed party" it is the same party its always been. Their manifesto is the same now as it was in 1990.

I remember reading articles by Mira Markovic attacking Karadzic and Mladic and calling the Serbs in Bosnia and Krajina a bunch of dumb pesants.

Milosevic and SPS-JUL may have had their problems with corruption, but they weren't nationalists and they definitely weren't directing the Serbian war effort in Bosnia and Krajina. If anything they begrudged what little assistance they did provide to the Serbs outside of Serbia.

It's hard to see the SPS in a coalition with rightwing parties like the DSS and the SRS, but it's even harder to see them with G17 or the LDP.

smile obviously there is a little confusion on the matter. you know what (this isn't like me) but I can't be bothered to check.

But I do know that there has been debate on the issue. Batakovic told me about it a few years ago, but said that the decision had been deferred.

Dusan how is it hard to see SPS with right wing parties. Are you forgetting the coalition of the 90's? You do realise that state security practically invented SRS aren't you? Mind you they say that state security invented DSS as well although Kostunica denies it. And they also say that the west organised the foundation of the modern democratic party in Serbia - Cavoski et al. Thats something Cavoski won't tell you or members of DS (and DSS that were in DS at the time).

I'd also add that a party suffering from cult of personality of ein leader isn't the same as one with a more democratic outlook. SPS have slowly been dropping Milosevic, although I seem to remember his portrait made a comeback at their conference this year as a way to reel in the oldies again who like that kind of thing.

Don't say I didn't warn you about Markovic and about SPS...

B92 also reports that SRS have pulled out of scheduled talks with DSS / SPS. I suspect in the coming days, even if no confirmation is forthcoming from the parties involved, that the radicals will go public revealing that SPS will join a DS government as a final bid to upset negotiations.

But (as I stated months ago) the downside of this is that Marko Milosevic and Mirjana Markovic will be able to avoid justice for the crimes they committed.

The other interesting factor is the emerging relationship between DSS and SPS and how much influence DSS will have over potential SPS members in a DS led government.

From my understanding the SPS is a reformed party. Nothing like the one under Milosevic.His policies have neen inherented by the SRS. SPS would have more to gain by siding with DS as it would get more seats in the cabinet.

Nick you are not correct about SPS and DS. Both are centre / left parties these days. Both talk about social justice in their party programmes. Both are members of Socialist International.

A tough choice lays ahead for SPS - apart from the straightforward lucrative ministries / management board members. The choice is whether to transform into a modern centre left party or to remain a 'patriotic' party, in an electoral landscape dominated by SRS. One thing they have their eyes upon is the age of their average voters, most are over 50 and they need to attract new voters as the sons and daughters of former communists have mostly defected to the radicals or DSS.

I think it is possible for SPS to defect from one camp to the other and survive although it will be tough to beat the census next time round. The reason is that they will be going for a new profile of voter - they will hope to pinch votes from DSS and even DS in the medium term rather than compete with SRS.
This is the 'opportunity' that is presenting itself to SPS. Within the party they have been having this debate for years and have slowly been pulling away from Milosevic's shadow. I do think that most people in the leadership of SPS are opportunists but I also hope they succeed in transforming themselves as those skeptical of capitalism need a party to express their sentiments.

I personally would not be able to vote for SPS today after all they did but if the reform continues and if their policies altered I could find myself voting for them in the future. Its not socialism that is wrong, it is the direction Serbian socialism took in the 1990's that was wrong.

There should be a whole one governemtn then.. the list goes on if 1 government = SPS, SRS, DSS, NS, JS etc. etc.

All those governments together = Instability.
One will disagree one will agree and you think that's what a governemt should be like, Dream on!

If the serbs were allowed to live in another country, the population would go from &million to 3.5million...
and don't forget the fact you're living in the UK. UK is more richer and has a better economy than Serbia... SRS will ruin serbia's future if elected for the next 4 years... I gurantee you that!!!

'Both are members of Socialist International.'

'In a DS coalition, they can finally join the Socialist International'

ahahahh sweet jesus
which is it then
no i really wanna know who dss srs are gonna rule with, socialist international member or no socialist international member :))

Strav,

Planty of brain in short sentence...Effective!

'Even though Tadic's coalition gained themost votes of all other parties, he must remember that a little over 60% of the population did not vote for him'.

True enough, but that is an even more effective argument against Kostunica being Prime Minister - when the figure rises to 87 percent.

This can be the best news for Serbia. The country needs to focus on it's people not Kosovo.
Virtually all the youth want to leave, the country is rotting under them and all anyone talks about is Kosovo which has been lost for a long time now. After 4 lost wars and the
loss of it's jewel, Montenegro it's time we realized that being hard headed only makes for more losses. What on earth will you do with 2 million hostile Albanians? Serbia's future rests with good relations with the EU and Russia not one or the other.
If this coalition succeeds then at least they have a chance.If not all foreign investment will cease and we will be the poorest country in Europe after Albania.

Don't say I didn't warn you about Markovic and about SPS...

B92 also reports that SRS have pulled out of scheduled talks with DSS / SPS. I suspect in the coming days, even if no confirmation is forthcoming from the parties involved, that the radicals will go public revealing that SPS will join a DS government as a final bid to upset negotiations.

But (as I stated months ago) the downside of this is that Marko Milosevic and Mirjana Markovic will be able to avoid justice for the crimes they committed.

The other interesting factor is the emerging relationship between DSS and SPS and how much influence DSS will have over potential SPS members in a DS led government.

From my understanding the SPS is a reformed party. Nothing like the one under Milosevic.His policies have neen inherented by the SRS. SPS would have more to gain by siding with DS as it would get more seats in the cabinet.

There should be a whole one governemtn then.. the list goes on if 1 government = SPS, SRS, DSS, NS, JS etc. etc.

All those governments together = Instability.
One will disagree one will agree and you think that's what a governemt should be like, Dream on!

If the serbs were allowed to live in another country, the population would go from &million to 3.5million...
and don't forget the fact you're living in the UK. UK is more richer and has a better economy than Serbia... SRS will ruin serbia's future if elected for the next 4 years... I gurantee you that!!!

ZK I think that the mud slinging and lying during this campaign was done mostly by DSS, more than both DS and SRS which have held consistent policies, even if they are against each other.

The voters also saw this by punishing DSS at the ballot box. Truly, that party would have had trouble reaching the census had it stood not been beefed up by the 5-6 percent gained by Ilic in inner Serbia. Thats a damning indictment on Vojislav Kostunica.

Talking realistically without the populist language what is it about now. Darkened rooms and conspiracies? Or negotiations between parties which seek to fulfill their self interest - not the naive that think it has anything to do with the national interest.

SPS will go where they think their best interest is served. As you might have heard some are speculating that SRS have offered (or bribed, if we insist on using the kind of language you like) Dacic the post of Prime Minister. Of course this leaves Kostunica out of a job so no wonder SPS and DSS have a lot to talk about. And this still doesn't resolve Markovic's reservations of a radical led government.

Workable government? Lets see. We would have Dacic as Prime Minister. Kostunica thinking he was Prime Minister. Seselj knowing he was Prime Minister and Nikolic wishing he was Prime Minister.

I think that this lot all together would make the worst days of DOS look organised and competent. Unworkable is precisely the term I'd use.

In politics, self-preservation is far more important than principle. SPS knows they'd be swallowed up by the SRS and serve as the ugly stepchild in an SRS-DSS-SPS coalition. In a DS coalition, they can finally join the Socialist International and earn a secure place in Serbia's political spectrum by becoming a respectable social democratic party. Those of us who have trouble even looking at the likes of Dacic and Mrkonjic will have to swallow hard and console ourselves with the most important result of a DS-SPS coalition: Kostunica's good riddance and the DSS's slow decline from our political scene.

Nick you are not correct about SPS and DS. Both are centre / left parties these days. Both talk about social justice in their party programmes. Both are members of Socialist International.

A tough choice lays ahead for SPS - apart from the straightforward lucrative ministries / management board members. The choice is whether to transform into a modern centre left party or to remain a 'patriotic' party, in an electoral landscape dominated by SRS. One thing they have their eyes upon is the age of their average voters, most are over 50 and they need to attract new voters as the sons and daughters of former communists have mostly defected to the radicals or DSS.

I think it is possible for SPS to defect from one camp to the other and survive although it will be tough to beat the census next time round. The reason is that they will be going for a new profile of voter - they will hope to pinch votes from DSS and even DS in the medium term rather than compete with SRS.
This is the 'opportunity' that is presenting itself to SPS. Within the party they have been having this debate for years and have slowly been pulling away from Milosevic's shadow. I do think that most people in the leadership of SPS are opportunists but I also hope they succeed in transforming themselves as those skeptical of capitalism need a party to express their sentiments.

I personally would not be able to vote for SPS today after all they did but if the reform continues and if their policies altered I could find myself voting for them in the future. Its not socialism that is wrong, it is the direction Serbian socialism took in the 1990's that was wrong.

Tadic is really spinning with such desperate hype as;

"The majority of citizens voted for the policies of continued European integration and preservation of Kosovo within Serbia, which I campaigned for during the presidential elections. "

- he forgot to add that he then was stabbed in the back ET TU EU with their illegal INLEX (lawless) mission that the EU planned regardless of who won the Presidential elections. Beyond which he failed to ascertain what the 'individual' EU states interpretation is on the signing of SAA post illegal delcataion of dependence and we all know how the ones who act illegally perceive Serbia's sovereignty;

"My understanding is that we signed the agreement with Serbia itself, without Kosovo, Minister de Gucht said."

Solana states it is SAA neutral and that is a clear signal that the indivual states can act illegally and EU dont care nor consider Serbia an equal partner who's soverignty is worth anthing to them. But, the EU do care about Georgia's soverignity and territorial integrity to go on the public record;

"Minister Rupel also pointed out that the European Union supported the efforts to resolve issues concerning both seceded regions, particularly through participation in the initiatives to re-establish trust in the region. Dr Rupel gave his assurance that the European Union supported the territorial integrity of Georgia; he welcomed the recent contacts with Russia and supported the dialogue between the two countries.

Dr Rupel concluded by stressing the high strategic importance of the cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region and pointed to the safety of the energy supply, an issue of strategic importance to this region"
http://www.eu2008.si/en/News_and_Documents/Press_Releases/February/0205MZZ_Gruzija.html

Yes Tadic you may have won your Presidency but since then you have done nothing to act positively for Serbia's soverignity and territorial integrity and the fact that your coalition list did well gives the Cezechs a signal to try illegal recognition shows how little respect is given by EU states to Serbia's soverignity with you and your party at the helm!!!

Its time DS stood aside with all the spin and let SRS-DSS-NS-SPS-PUPS-JS get on with governing ALL of Serbia by standing (Устани) proud, supporting (Подржи) economic development for all and going forward (Напред) !!!

Tadic stop with the spin and let others get on with governing as our people in Kosovo need a strong Serbian government wiling to stand up(Устани).

Read this report and understand the urgency needed now not tomorrow but now in ensuring Serbia's Ssovereignty;
Kosovo killers part 1
http://www.kp.ru/daily/24096.5/324917/
Kosovo killers part 2
http://rostov.kp.ru/daily/24097/325320/
kosovo Killers part 3
http://www.dv.kp.ru/daily/24097/325325/

The US and EU see Tadic, DS and Co. as a push over and someone they can help solve their self made problem simply by eradicating all the last vestigages of Serbian existance in kosovo as quoted by in his briefing, de Marnhac french general Kosovo Force (KFOR);

"In the mid to long term there will be some kind of biological end to the problem here because, you know, one of the population(s) will simply disappear," he said."
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28278931.htm

One wonders why Tadic and co are willing to comply in this 'biological solution' which the Frech Genea want to implement???

Tadic stand aside and let the will of the poeple be implemented by governing ALL of Serbia by standing (Устани) proud, supporting (Подржи) economic development for all and going forward (Напред) !!!

So the DSS and NS are talking to the SRS who are talking to the SPS and PUPS and JS who are talking to the DS and G17 Plus who are not talking to DSS and NS who are talking to the SRS who are ......excuse me while I get a headache pill.

That's better!

How about a Government of National Unity, combining elements of DS, DSS, NS, G17, SRS? Could it work? If they all have the interests of Serbia at heart, it could.

Serbia needs a sustained concentration on the economy to create jobs, raise living standards, improve social services and bring confidence back to the country. Surely there are enough intelligent, committed politicians among the above to set this in motion with or without the EU. While this is underway, another part of the government can continue the diplomatic offensive on Kosovo.

Forget all the harsh words before the election - that's all they were. Everybody says they want to boost the economy, everybody says that Kosovo is Serbia, so let them do it then and cut out all the nonsense and back-biting and insults.

If this current generation of politicians do not pull together for the sake of the country then it will be time for the people to take to the streets again and throw them all out. Serbia deserves better than this current circus.

'Both are members of Socialist International.'

'In a DS coalition, they can finally join the Socialist International'

ahahahh sweet jesus
which is it then
no i really wanna know who dss srs are gonna rule with, socialist international member or no socialist international member :))

"rumors", he? Is that news?

More deceit coming from the DS. Don't they ever stop?

There is absolutely no chance the DSS will allow the SPS to slip away. It is almost a done deal and this attempted forced marriage between the SPS and DS is just not going to work.

But whatever happens, expect the Milosevics home again. I'm not sure why the SPS insist on the Dayton accords remaining in place. Perhaps some secret deal is tied to it?

However, they also seem to instist on a European path but only with Kosovo. This is fine but is unlikely to develop given that SPS policy with the Hague would be voluntary.

Time will tell!

I think it is clear that Blic is making more then is the case over a highly unlikely DS tie up with SPS-PUPS-JS with talks happening today with DSS and SRS. As stated openly by SPS deputy leader Žarko Obradović and S leader Markovic who's first prefrence is with Kostunica while, even discussing with DS

"only if talks with the DSS-NS fall through"

i.e. it is up to SRS-DS-NS to ensure SPS-PUPS-JS agree and and thus lets get on with governing ALL of Serbia by standing (Устани) proud, supporting (Подржи) economic development for all and going forward (Напред) !!!

if that happens, the SPS is dead.

siding with Tadic´s DS would undermine the last bit of SPS´ credibility...

and would very likely not last for a full legislative period.

The DS and DSS came to power by organising a Putsch against the SPS. Since their founding the DS and DSS have made political capital by attacking the SPS and labelling them as “Fascist,” “Nazi,” “Communist.”

Things have changed and both parties are now courting the SPS.

The leader of the SPS, Ivica Dačić, should make political and symbolic demands of those now seeking SPS support to form a government.

The distribution of Ministries is part of the political negotiations. On the symbolic front the SPS should demand a State funeral for President Milosevic and a year a two later it should demand that a Belgrade boulevard be named after him.

The SPS should force the DS and DSS to eat their words about Milosevic and the SPS.

bganon, after reading B92 for a few months now, it is quite obvious where its loyalties lie.

If you want to believe rumours and the possibility that DSS/SRS or even SPS would fall out with each other at this crucial stage, then it is quite obvious why you would vote DS.

All this information on the grapevine, the smoke and mirrors, the mud throwing, the cheating, lying and deceit are all done for one purpose - and that is to get the DS into government! But I can assure you that is very unlikely to happen.

It is just a sign of desperation because the powers of the US/EU do not like to lose. So the sooner this nonsense is swept aside the better.

The only workable government is SPS/DSS/SRS. It is a marriage made to be.

blic is neither serbian nor newspaper, it´s western wishful thinking. that says all about it´s seriosity ...

dr. kostunica isn´t stupid and not the first day in politics.

of course sps can reach an agreement with the list for canaks serbia (or how the election-losers call themself today), and then enjoy the last 4 years of existence (but with a club-card of europes socialist movement) by acting against the will of their electorate.

dacic knows best that the reform of pensions funds isn´t changeable, but he can do a lot for his electorate by money from the oligarchs behind srs and dss AND the national investment plan.

It is amazing how low Tadic would stoop only to be elected. Now he would like to woo in the SPS, a party that has nothing in common with the DS. The same party that handed over the leader of the SPS to the Hague, and the same party that has criticized the SPS. If Tadic had any interest in the integrity of Serbia, what is he doing with the likes of Jovanovic and Canak. Seems like he could not care less who he forms a government with, just as long as he is in power to sell off the rest of Serbia. Personally, who ever the US and EU endorse, Serbs beware!!

Should the socialists join a coalition with the DS they would completley allienate their political base and have no one to vote for them in the next election. If we can all agree on one thing, In Serbia, the next election can come at any time.

It took almost 20 years, but it looks like some people are finally starting to figure out that the SPS is not a nationalist party. The party platform has not changed one iota since the 1990s when Milosevic was in charge. The SPS is not a "reformed party" it is the same party its always been. Their manifesto is the same now as it was in 1990.

I remember reading articles by Mira Markovic attacking Karadzic and Mladic and calling the Serbs in Bosnia and Krajina a bunch of dumb pesants.

Milosevic and SPS-JUL may have had their problems with corruption, but they weren't nationalists and they definitely weren't directing the Serbian war effort in Bosnia and Krajina. If anything they begrudged what little assistance they did provide to the Serbs outside of Serbia.

It's hard to see the SPS in a coalition with rightwing parties like the DSS and the SRS, but it's even harder to see them with G17 or the LDP.

smile obviously there is a little confusion on the matter. you know what (this isn't like me) but I can't be bothered to check.

But I do know that there has been debate on the issue. Batakovic told me about it a few years ago, but said that the decision had been deferred.

Dusan how is it hard to see SPS with right wing parties. Are you forgetting the coalition of the 90's? You do realise that state security practically invented SRS aren't you? Mind you they say that state security invented DSS as well although Kostunica denies it. And they also say that the west organised the foundation of the modern democratic party in Serbia - Cavoski et al. Thats something Cavoski won't tell you or members of DS (and DSS that were in DS at the time).

I'd also add that a party suffering from cult of personality of ein leader isn't the same as one with a more democratic outlook. SPS have slowly been dropping Milosevic, although I seem to remember his portrait made a comeback at their conference this year as a way to reel in the oldies again who like that kind of thing.

Even though Tadic's coalition gained themost votes of all other parties, he must remember that a little over 60% of the population did not vote for him.

Strav,

Planty of brain in short sentence...Effective!

'Even though Tadic's coalition gained themost votes of all other parties, he must remember that a little over 60% of the population did not vote for him'.

True enough, but that is an even more effective argument against Kostunica being Prime Minister - when the figure rises to 87 percent.