Coalition leaders strike election deal

Boris Tadic, Vojislav Kostunica and Mladjan Dinkic last night came to an agreement over a date for presidential elections. B92 has learned that under the terms of the agreement between the Democratic Party (DS), Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and G17 Plus, the laws necessary for calling elections are due to come before parliament on November 8, and should be adopted by December 10. Coalition leaders strike election deal B92 sources claim that elections will be held in January. The president’s cabinet confirmed the news in a statement today. “There is complete agreement that elections will be called after December 10 and the current round of Kosovo talks, provided that the country’s territorial integrity is not jeopardized,” according to the statement. It was also stated that the three sides had committed to pass the necessary laws for calling local and provincial elections in line with Constitutional Law, as soon as possible. Boris Tadic (FoNet, archive) Opinion poll: Tadic, Nikolic in presidential run-off A new opinion poll indicates Boris Tadic and Tomislav Nikolic are the main contenders for the presidency. Strategic Marketing Director Srdjan Bogosavljevic told B92 that the majority of the 1017 respondents were absolutely certain that the elections would come down to a run-off between the president and the Serb Radical Party deputy leader. “Tadic has a significant lead with about 56 percent against 44 percent, although that advantage is slightly less when it comes to those voters who will definitely take part in the elections. It’s even less if the figure is adjusted for floating voters, and compared to the population’s typical voting habits. However, that lead is still relatively large, and even in the worst case scenario gives Tadic an eight point advantage,” says Bogosavljevic. He says that the potential Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) boycott would reduce the president’s lead, though not to the same extent as in 2003, when the DSS and G17 Plus boycotted presidential elections where the Democratic Party’s (DS) candidate was Dragoljub Micunovic. “The DSS is not a strong party at the moment, although were they to boycott, it would undoubtedly reduce Tadic’s lead, and then we would really have some sort of duel being led in certain margins. In that event, the result would be about 52-48 if the election was held today, and they’re the only circumstances where the result would be tight,” claims Bogosavljevic. As far as the parties are concerned, the SRS still leads on 34 percent, the DS has 31, the DSS 11, the Liberal Democratic Party 6, G17 Plus 5, with the Socialist Party of Serbia trailing on 4 percent. (Beta)

Coalition leaders strike election deal

B92 sources claim that elections will be held in January.

The president’s cabinet confirmed the news in a statement today.

“There is complete agreement that elections will be called after December 10 and the current round of Kosovo talks, provided that the country’s territorial integrity is not jeopardized,” according to the statement.

It was also stated that the three sides had committed to pass the necessary laws for calling local and provincial elections in line with Constitutional Law, as soon as possible.

Opinion poll: Tadić, Nikolić in presidential run-off

A new opinion poll indicates Boris Tadić and Tomislav Nikolić are the main contenders for the presidency.

Strategic Marketing Director Srđan Bogosavljević told B92 that the majority of the 1017 respondents were absolutely certain that the elections would come down to a run-off between the president and the Serb Radical Party deputy leader.

“Tadić has a significant lead with about 56 percent against 44 percent, although that advantage is slightly less when it comes to those voters who will definitely take part in the elections. It’s even less if the figure is adjusted for floating voters, and compared to the population’s typical voting habits. However, that lead is still relatively large, and even in the worst case scenario gives Tadić an eight point advantage,” says Bogosavljević.

He says that the potential Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) boycott would reduce the president’s lead, though not to the same extent as in 2003, when the DSS and G17 Plus boycotted presidential elections where the Democratic Party’s (DS) candidate was Dragoljub Mićunović.

“The DSS is not a strong party at the moment, although were they to boycott, it would undoubtedly reduce Tadić’s lead, and then we would really have some sort of duel being led in certain margins. In that event, the result would be about 52-48 if the election was held today, and they’re the only circumstances where the result would be tight,” claims Bogosavljević.

As far as the parties are concerned, the SRS still leads on 34 percent, the DS has 31, the DSS 11, the Liberal Democratic Party 6, G17 Plus 5, with the Socialist Party of Serbia trailing on 4 percent.