Parties comment on possibility of early elections

BELGRADE The Progressives (SNS) say they are "always ready for elections", while their coalition partners the Socialists (SPS) see no reason to go to the polls for now. Party officials were asked to comment on this issue on Tuesday, after President Tomislav Nikolic suggested that elections should be held if Serbia failed to get a date for the start of EU membership negotiations. Parties comment on possibility of early elections SNS MP Vladimir Cvijan told reporters in parliament today that the Progressives, "being the strongest party, are always ready for elections". SPS MP and head of the party's parliamentary group Branko Ruzic said that there were "certain elements" that would influence a possible decision to go to early elections, and noted that the EU decision on a date was among them. "In order for elections to be held conditions must be met prescribed by the Constitution and the laws, and the factual state of affairs must be such that there is no parliamentary majority that supports the government. None of these elements are currently present," Ruzic was quoted as saying. The SPS official added that Nikolic had presented "a legitimate political stance", which, according to him, "was effectively a hypothetical question". "We'll see in the coming period what will happen. Conversations must be held with the partners in the ruling coalition on whether elections are necessary," Ruzic said, and added: "The president of Serbia is presenting his concern for what the state leadership and the Serbian government have tasked themselves with on the issue of European integrations." "Wait for talks to conclude" The opposition Democratic Party (DS) is ready for elections, but it believes they should not be held before the talks with Pristina have been completed. "There are many reasons for elections, mostly because of the disagreements within the government coalition and the SNS, the leader of the coalition, as well as because of the incompetence of the people working for the government," DS MP group chief Borislav Stefanovic said. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic told B92 on Monday it might be good to call elections if the talks with Pristina fail and Serbia does not get a start date for the accession talks with the EU in June. He asked all political figures to stay away from the subject of elections until then. This statement by Nikolic shows deep differences within the government coalition concerning time frames and the need to hold elections or reshuffle the government, Stefanovic noted. "Wait for talks to fail" The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) expects the talks between Belgrade and Pristina to fail and believes an early parliamentary election should be called once that happens, DSS MP Petar Petkovic said on Tuesday. Brussels thinks the only solution to the talks between Belgrade and Pristina is independent Kosovo, so it is in Serbia's national interest for the negotiations to fail, he told reporters. Once the talks fail and Serbia is denied a start date for the accession talks with the EU, an early parliamentary election should be called, he added. After the election, the new government and parliament should stop the destructive EU integration and create a new policy of protecting the national interest, he noted, stressing that the DSS was prepared for an election. Beta Tanjug

Parties comment on possibility of early elections

SNS MP Vladimir Cvijan told reporters in parliament today that the Progressives, "being the strongest party, are always ready for elections".

SPS MP and head of the party's parliamentary group Branko Ružić said that there were "certain elements" that would influence a possible decision to go to early elections, and noted that the EU decision on a date was among them.

"In order for elections to be held conditions must be met prescribed by the Constitution and the laws, and the factual state of affairs must be such that there is no parliamentary majority that supports the government. None of these elements are currently present," Ružić was quoted as saying.

The SPS official added that Nikolić had presented "a legitimate political stance", which, according to him, "was effectively a hypothetical question".

"We'll see in the coming period what will happen. Conversations must be held with the partners in the ruling coalition on whether elections are necessary," Ružić said, and added:

"The president of Serbia is presenting his concern for what the state leadership and the Serbian government have tasked themselves with on the issue of European integrations."

"Wait for talks to conclude"

The opposition Democratic Party (DS) is ready for elections, but it believes they should not be held before the talks with Priština have been completed.

"There are many reasons for elections, mostly because of the disagreements within the government coalition and the SNS, the leader of the coalition, as well as because of the incompetence of the people working for the government," DS MP group chief Borislav Stefanović said.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić told B92 on Monday it might be good to call elections if the talks with Priština fail and Serbia does not get a start date for the accession talks with the EU in June.

He asked all political figures to stay away from the subject of elections until then.

This statement by Nikolić shows deep differences within the government coalition concerning time frames and the need to hold elections or reshuffle the government, Stefanović noted.

"Wait for talks to fail"

The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) expects the talks between Belgrade and Priština to fail and believes an early parliamentary election should be called once that happens, DSS MP Petar Petković said on Tuesday.

Brussels thinks the only solution to the talks between Belgrade and Priština is independent Kosovo, so it is in Serbia's national interest for the negotiations to fail, he told reporters.

Once the talks fail and Serbia is denied a start date for the accession talks with the EU, an early parliamentary election should be called, he added.

After the election, the new government and parliament should stop the destructive EU integration and create a new policy of protecting the national interest, he noted, stressing that the DSS was prepared for an election.