MPs sum up eventful year in parliament

The work of Serbia's parliament looks likely to be remembered for a number of issues unrelated to passing of legislation. 45 laws and other acts have been adopted in 2008, along with ratified agreements, and the state budget for 2009. Still, bickering over rules of procedure and personal issues dominated. MPs sum up eventful year in parliament At the same time, MPs, elected in May last year, engaged in exchanges of insults, swearing, hair pulling, and, according to some, slapping. As they leave the year behind, some lawmakers spoke to B92 to say what they expect in 2009, and how they saw last year. Tomislav Nikolic, of the opposition Serb Progressives (SNS), formed several months ago after he parted company with the Radicals (SRS), says this has been one of the more difficult years for him. "A year that quite saddened me but also released some restraints that I have had in politics so far. A year when I left the party I founded to establish another." "It was a year when many of my friends showed their true faces and broke up our friendships. I made a difficult decision and I hope I won't have to make another one of the kind again in my life," says Nikolic. His former party colleague, Vjerica Radeta, SRS, believes everything's been going wrong since the government was formed. "Unfortunately it will continue, and the representatives of the government are saying this openly. The prime minister said it loud and clear that we must preserve jobs, that no results can be achieved in the streets." "Obviously this government is not socially responsible or serious and the citizens will feel this," she says. Radeta mentioned party leader Vojislav Seselj's "successful struggle, his successful cross-examination of prosecution witnesses at the Hague Tribunal" as another point she will remember 2008 for. Zoran Ostojic of the opposition Liberal Democrats (LDP) expects "what the whole world expects, since it is known in advance that 2009 will be worse than the previous year". In addition to this, he anticipates "further temptations because of an incompetent government". Ruling Dragan Markovic Palma-led United Serbia MP Jasmina Milosevic thinks that financial experts' statements must be taken into account, "which are warning about the arrival of a financial crisis", and says the economy will be the greatest challenge ahead. Opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) MP Zoran Sami says 2008 will be remembered for the global economic crisis. "What is additionally burdening for us is the entrance of EULEX to Kosovo and I fear, the start of Serbia's disintegration. Unfortunately, it will not take only one, but the next five to six years," says Sami. Nikolic and fellow SNS MP Jorgovanka Tabakovic in parliament (Beta)

MPs sum up eventful year in parliament

At the same time, MPs, elected in May last year, engaged in exchanges of insults, swearing, hair pulling, and, according to some, slapping.

As they leave the year behind, some lawmakers spoke to B92 to say what they expect in 2009, and how they saw last year.

Tomislav Nikolić, of the opposition Serb Progressives (SNS), formed several months ago after he parted company with the Radicals (SRS), says this has been one of the more difficult years for him.

"A year that quite saddened me but also released some restraints that I have had in politics so far. A year when I left the party I founded to establish another."

"It was a year when many of my friends showed their true faces and broke up our friendships. I made a difficult decision and I hope I won't have to make another one of the kind again in my life," says Nikolić.

His former party colleague, Vjerica Radeta, SRS, believes everything's been going wrong since the government was formed.

"Unfortunately it will continue, and the representatives of the government are saying this openly. The prime minister said it loud and clear that we must preserve jobs, that no results can be achieved in the streets."

"Obviously this government is not socially responsible or serious and the citizens will feel this," she says.

Radeta mentioned party leader Vojislav Šešelj's "successful struggle, his successful cross-examination of prosecution witnesses at the Hague Tribunal" as another point she will remember 2008 for.

Zoran Ostojić of the opposition Liberal Democrats (LDP) expects "what the whole world expects, since it is known in advance that 2009 will be worse than the previous year". In addition to this, he anticipates "further temptations because of an incompetent government".

Ruling Dragan Marković Palma-led United Serbia MP Jasmina Milošević thinks that financial experts' statements must be taken into account, "which are warning about the arrival of a financial crisis", and says the economy will be the greatest challenge ahead.

Opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) MP Zoran Šami says 2008 will be remembered for the global economic crisis.

"What is additionally burdening for us is the entrance of EULEX to Kosovo and I fear, the start of Serbia's disintegration. Unfortunately, it will not take only one, but the next five to six years," says Šami.