First round of cabinet talks over

First round of cabinet talks over

Jovanović told the press that the LDP-GSS-SDU-LSV coalition would not enter into a government that included the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) or any other parties of the outgoing government.

“If the new government can only be formed if the DS aligns with the parties of the outgoing government, we will be in the opposition, but will continue to support Božidar Đelić and the DS in affairs necessary to promoting change and prosperity for Serbia”, Jovanović said. Prior to his meeting with the LDP, President Tadić talked to representatives of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS).

After the meeting, SPS President Ivica Dačić said that his party believes that the formation of the parliament and the new government should happen soon, given the urgency of the Kosovo issue for Serbia.

“We warned the public that the international community would try to impose independence as a solution for Kosovo while we were in between governments” Dačić concluded.

Analyst: DSS platform could lead to isolation

Center for Alternative Studies director Milan Nikolić said that the DSS platform on Kosovo could be the biggest obstacle to further talks on the makeup of the new government.

Nikolić told B92 that he was taken aback by the hard line position of the Democratic Party of Serbia, adding that the platform could mean one of two things: that DSS may side with the Radicals, or that it may exerts pressure on the DS in regards to the distribution of ministry seats.

“I believe that the hardline position of the DSS is actually a political tactic. I’m afraid it could lead Serbia into the isolation from the rest of the world, and away from finding a good solution for the Kosovo problem, or from any solution that could be in the interest of Serbia”, Nikolić said.

He added that many parties are not in favor of new elections as they could come out with fewer votes, thus giving the Radicals and Socialists a chance to come to power. Nikolić said that he doubts that the DSS will side with the Radicals, a decision that would be political suicide in the long run.

“Everything is possible. However, the DSS does not have many reasons to ally with the SRS. However, Koštunica is determined not to be remembered as a politician who surrendered Kosovo. The fear of actually being in power with the Kosovo solution looming large is prevalent among the politicians. If the DSS chooses to form a government with the Radicals, it would have to assume the full responsibility for surrendering Kosovo, or for letting it be snatched from Serbia”, Nikolić concluded.

Report: Đelić to get mandate to form new cabinet after February 13

Serbian President and DS leader Boris Tadić will offer his party colleague Božidar Đelić the mandate to form the government, but not before February 7 when the European Troika is due to visit Belgrade, the daily Večernje Novosti reported. Tadić will probably wait until after February 13 to make his proposal official, after the Contact Group has convened to discuss the status of Kosovo.

“Tadić will explain his choice with the fact that Božidar Đelić was the only concrete suggestion made by any parliamentary party during the consultations”, the daily reports.

The DSS-NS platform on Kosovo will only prolong the formation of the cabinet, for the document as such is unacceptable to Tadić. “If the position upon which the platform is based remains unchanged, it would be difficult to put together a government. Tadić won’t agree to worsen relations with the world because of Kosovo”, the daily concluded.

Janković: Last line of defense

Vladeta Janković, advisor to the Serbian Prime Minister, said that the DSS-NS platform represents the last defense line of the state’s sovereignty. “It’s our obligation to warn all countries in time so that they are aware in advance that their possible agreement to take Kosovo will not be without consequences in regards to our relations”, Janković told Večernje novosti.

Janković added that the platform does not involve cutting all diplomatic ties with the countries who recognize Kosovo’s independence. “There is a wide spectrum of diplomatic and legal possibilities for Serbia’s reaction to the possible recognition of an independent Kosovo. The matter could not be simplified and reduced to only one: the final step, which would involve breaking off diplomatic relations“, Jankovic said.

“DSS-NS platform is a media stunt”

The Deputy President of the Serbian Radical Party Tomislav Nikolić said that the DSS-NS platform for the composition the new government bears no significance to him.

Nikolić told Belgrade’s daily Blic that he did not officially receive the document from the DSS. “Their platform is designed for media purposes only. We have our platform as well, and ours prioritizes curbing crime and corruption”, Nikolić added.

United States disappointed

The U.S. Embassy in Serbia is not satisfied with the platform. “We are very disappointed with the DSS’s approach. We wish to continue the dialog with the Serbian citizens and their reliable authorities regarding the issues relevant to our two countries”, Embassy officials said.

“We hope that Serbian leaders will form a democratic government and grant the wishes of the majority of the Serbian citizens who chose to constructively move towards the EU”, read a statement issued by the Embassy.