DSS-NS call Democrats for election talks

The DSS-NS coalition has called on the DS to agree on a common policy at the forthcoming presidential elections. “Since the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS)-New Serbia (NS) coalition has not had the opportunity to agree on and review the issue of presidential elections with its coalition partners, we expert our partners to understand that now, before the media, we must try at this late stage to find a solution and come to an agreement,” says the coalition. DSS-NS call Democrats for election talks After a meeting of DSS-NS representatives, where the respective leaders, Vojislav Kostunica and Velimir Ilic, took a joint position over the ballot, the coalition expressed its confidence that it was in the Democratic Party’s (DS) interests also to hold talks on the matter. Professor of Political Science Slavisa Orlovic told B92 that it was interesting that the invitation mentioned the need to determine the governing coalition’s joint policy, which had already been done during the formation of the government. “Clearly, as the statement says, they have tried to find a way of reaching an agreement. However, elections were called in line with Constitutional Law and the other laws required for calling elections, as well as in line with the previous coalition agreement. That’s the famous November 3 statement,” said Orlovic. “Judging by the statement, the DSS-NS coalition still doesn’t want to nominate Velimir Ilic as its candidate, and wishes to postpone its decision on whether to support (President Boris) Tadic or, for that matter, (Serb Radical Party candidate Tomislav) Nikolic. They may even put that decision off until the second round of elections, “ speculated the professor. The DSS-NS statement points out that the elections were called without their prior agreement, that the country is already in the midst of an election campaign, and that the West is publicly announcing that the decision on Kosovo’s status will be taken after the elections. The coalition also insists that, prior to signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, a clear provision should be included that “in its entirety, guarantees and respects Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally guaranteed borders.” However, B92 understands that the coalition agreed at the meeting to hold talks with the DS during the weekend. To B92’s knowledge, these meetings will focus on the Democrats’ stand on the Resolution on Kosovo that parliament is due to adopt. On that basis, sources claim, the DSS has formed its position on the elections and its potential support for Tadic at the elections. B92 understands that the matter of local and provincial elections will also be addressed at the meeting. Finally, B92’s sources claim that the final decision on the survival of the governing coalition will be taken after the meeting.

DSS-NS call Democrats for election talks

After a meeting of DSS-NS representatives, where the respective leaders, Vojislav Koštunica and Velimir Ilić, took a joint position over the ballot, the coalition expressed its confidence that it was in the Democratic Party’s (DS) interests also to hold talks on the matter.

Professor of Political Science Slaviša Orlović told B92 that it was interesting that the invitation mentioned the need to determine the governing coalition’s joint policy, which had already been done during the formation of the government.

“Clearly, as the statement says, they have tried to find a way of reaching an agreement. However, elections were called in line with Constitutional Law and the other laws required for calling elections, as well as in line with the previous coalition agreement. That’s the famous November 3 statement,” said Orlović.

“Judging by the statement, the DSS-NS coalition still doesn’t want to nominate Velimir Ilić as its candidate, and wishes to postpone its decision on whether to support (President Boris) Tadić or, for that matter, (Serb Radical Party candidate Tomislav) Nikolić. They may even put that decision off until the second round of elections, “ speculated the professor.

The DSS-NS statement points out that the elections were called without their prior agreement, that the country is already in the midst of an election campaign, and that the West is publicly announcing that the decision on Kosovo’s status will be taken after the elections.

The coalition also insists that, prior to signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, a clear provision should be included that “in its entirety, guarantees and respects Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally guaranteed borders.”

However, B92 understands that the coalition agreed at the meeting to hold talks with the DS during the weekend.

To B92’s knowledge, these meetings will focus on the Democrats’ stand on the Resolution on Kosovo that parliament is due to adopt.

On that basis, sources claim, the DSS has formed its position on the elections and its potential support for Tadić at the elections.

B92 understands that the matter of local and provincial elections will also be addressed at the meeting.

Finally, B92’s sources claim that the final decision on the survival of the governing coalition will be taken after the meeting.