Still no DS-SPS deal: What's holding it up?

Negotiators of the Socialists (SPS) and the Democrats (DS), aiming to put together a new government, say that "a new phase" in the talks will start shortly. However, one of the most prominent Socialists has expressed his "anger" at the leader of the Democrats, while the increasing frequency of statements praising the Progressives (SNS) opens up many questions. Still no DS-SPS deal: What's holding it up? Are the Democrats and the Socialists on the way to form a government, or is there trouble after all in the ongoing negotiations? Few are willing to openly discuss this situation, and one of the most straight-forward officials on this issue has been SPS Vice President Milutin Mrkonjic: "I am angry at Boris Tadic because he is still unable to form a new parliamentary majority. The Democrats, with their hesitation, are pushing us toward the Progressives. The citizens are impatient, my construction (industry) folk are impatient," said the infrastructure minister in the outgoing cabinet, and added "pensioners and workers living hand-to-mouth, not knowing what tomorrow brings", to that list. "I am unpleasantly surprised by the slowness of our partners up until now, the DS," concluded Mrkonjic. In this context, and considering SPS leader Ivica Dacic's recent statement that the international community finds former SNS leader Tomislav Nikolic "increasingly acceptable" - the question arises whether the Socialists are also finding the Progressives "increasingly acceptable". As for the SNS, party official Nebojsa Stefanovic said: "We are waiting for the Socialists to declare themselves on whether their negotiations with the Democrats finished, whether they were successful - so they will have the mandate (to form a government), or if they will start negotiating with us. We are ready to discuss the essential issues that we brought up during the campaign." Belgrade-based Danas newspaper columnist Dragoljub Petrovic commented on this situation by suggesting that Dacic "would be better off creating a government with the Democrats, because that would not endanger his voter base": "His voter base will not turn into the DS voter base. On the other hand, if they ally themselves with the Progressives, that's a very close base, and it is almost certain that Socialist voters influenced the victory of Tomislav Nikolic (in the presidential runoff). I think he (Dacic) would be better off with the DS, but he simply would like to be a little like Slobodan Milosevic, so he goes through the phases where he is Dacic for two weeks, and then Milosevic for the next two." After their meeting in Belgrade on Tuesday, the leaders of the SPS and the DS, Ivica Dacic and Boris Tadic, announced new negotiations in the coming days that would focus on choosing a third partner for a future ruling coalition, and on distribution of cabinet portfolios. A file photo of PUPS, DS, and SPS leaders Jovan Krkobabic, Boris Tadic, and Ivica Dacic (Tanjug) B92

Still no DS-SPS deal: What's holding it up?

Are the Democrats and the Socialists on the way to form a government, or is there trouble after all in the ongoing negotiations? Few are willing to openly discuss this situation, and one of the most straight-forward officials on this issue has been SPS Vice President Milutin Mrkonjić:

"I am angry at Boris Tadić because he is still unable to form a new parliamentary majority. The Democrats, with their hesitation, are pushing us toward the Progressives. The citizens are impatient, my construction (industry) folk are impatient," said the infrastructure minister in the outgoing cabinet, and added "pensioners and workers living hand-to-mouth, not knowing what tomorrow brings", to that list.

"I am unpleasantly surprised by the slowness of our partners up until now, the DS," concluded Mrkonjić.

In this context, and considering SPS leader Ivica Dačić's recent statement that the international community finds former SNS leader Tomislav Nikolić "increasingly acceptable" - the question arises whether the Socialists are also finding the Progressives "increasingly acceptable".

As for the SNS, party official Nebojša Stefanović said:

"We are waiting for the Socialists to declare themselves on whether their negotiations with the Democrats finished, whether they were successful - so they will have the mandate (to form a government), or if they will start negotiating with us. We are ready to discuss the essential issues that we brought up during the campaign."

Belgrade-based Danas newspaper columnist Dragoljub Petrović commented on this situation by suggesting that Dačić "would be better off creating a government with the Democrats, because that would not endanger his voter base":

"His voter base will not turn into the DS voter base. On the other hand, if they ally themselves with the Progressives, that's a very close base, and it is almost certain that Socialist voters influenced the victory of Tomislav Nikolić (in the presidential runoff). I think he (Dačić) would be better off with the DS, but he simply would like to be a little like Slobodan Milošević, so he goes through the phases where he is Dačić for two weeks, and then Milošević for the next two."

After their meeting in Belgrade on Tuesday, the leaders of the SPS and the DS, Ivica Dačić and Boris Tadić, announced new negotiations in the coming days that would focus on choosing a third partner for a future ruling coalition, and on distribution of cabinet portfolios.