DSS minister "doubts gov't will survive"

Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic today voiced pessimism over the future of the coalition government. Samardzic, of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), said that the cabinet is "in a deep crisis" and expressed doubts that it will survive. DSS minister "doubts gov't will survive" Addressing a news conference after a government session, Samardzic said a solution must be found for the functioning of the government, but said it was "his personal belief that it will not survive". "There are big differences among the coalition partners on two points of the coalition agreement - European integrations, and Kosovo and Metohija," he said. "Part of the government is for a small step toward accession and wants the European Union clearly to state whether it sees Serbia as an integral state, while the other part is for immediate integrations and is ready to overlook the EU policy practiced against Serbia," the minister explained. "I have personal ideas how this could be resolved," Samardzic said, adding that there are different mechanisms for resolving this crisis. He offered "creating of a new majority support in the Serbian parliament" as an example. "It is possible that the draft resolution of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) will be adopted," Samardzic also said. The media in Serbia have speculated for a while that the DSS may opt to form either a new cabinet with the Radicals (SRS), or a minority government supported by the Radicals' votes in the parliament. Alternatively, if the ruling coalition does not survive, the country could hold early parliamentary elections. The current cabinet was formed as the legal deadline was looming in May last year, nearly five months after the Jan. 21, 2007, ballot. It is made up of the DS, DSS, NS and G17 Plus. The opposition Radicals are the largest single party in the Serbian parliament.

DSS minister "doubts gov't will survive"

Addressing a news conference after a government session, Samardžić said a solution must be found for the functioning of the government, but said it was "his personal belief that it will not survive".

"There are big differences among the coalition partners on two points of the coalition agreement - European integrations, and Kosovo and Metohija," he said.

"Part of the government is for a small step toward accession and wants the European Union clearly to state whether it sees Serbia as an integral state, while the other part is for immediate integrations and is ready to overlook the EU policy practiced against Serbia," the minister explained.

"I have personal ideas how this could be resolved," Samardžić said, adding that there are different mechanisms for resolving this crisis.

He offered "creating of a new majority support in the Serbian parliament" as an example.

"It is possible that the draft resolution of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) will be adopted," Samardžić also said.

The media in Serbia have speculated for a while that the DSS may opt to form either a new cabinet with the Radicals (SRS), or a minority government supported by the Radicals' votes in the parliament.

Alternatively, if the ruling coalition does not survive, the country could hold early parliamentary elections.

The current cabinet was formed as the legal deadline was looming in May last year, nearly five months after the Jan. 21, 2007, ballot. It is made up of the DS, DSS, NS and G17 Plus.

The opposition Radicals are the largest single party in the Serbian parliament.