DSS seeks to gather opposition forces

The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) says it is starting a campaign to gather other opposition parties in order to push for early elections. Former PM and DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica has initiated this move. His party believes that the current government cannot answer the challenges of the crisis, and proposes a so-called technical coalition of the opposition, that would last until elections. DSS seeks to gather opposition forces The DSS also want a referendum on Serbia's NATO membership. Their coalition partners New Serbia (NS) immediately offered its support for the idea, and rejected criticism that new elections would be a "new, millions-heavy expense" for the country. Deputy NS leader Dubravka Filipovski said on Tuesday that should others agree to do the same, this party was ready to forego the budget money it would be entitled to for the campaign. "Elections are cheaper than this government and its destructive policy," said she. The DSS can offer its 21 votes in parliament, while 105 other MPs would have to join their ranks for a successful bid to bring down the government. Other opposition parties also want early elections, but are less enthusiastic about the technical coalition idea. Still, should the DSS cut a deal with Tomislav Nikolic's SNS, the party would "certainly lose the support of the Radicals (SRS)", say reports. "We can [work] with everyone, except the foreign mercenaries of the SNS," Dragan Todorovic, SRS, was quoted as saying. As for the NATO referendum initiative, DSS official Nebojsa POpovic said that it came although the idea for the country to join this military alliance is not in the Cvetkovic cabinet program. The reason for this, Popovic explained, is because the government "can't ne trusted not to make such a decision after all".

DSS seeks to gather opposition forces

The DSS also want a referendum on Serbia's NATO membership.

Their coalition partners New Serbia (NS) immediately offered its support for the idea, and rejected criticism that new elections would be a "new, millions-heavy expense" for the country.

Deputy NS leader Dubravka Filipovski said on Tuesday that should others agree to do the same, this party was ready to forego the budget money it would be entitled to for the campaign.

"Elections are cheaper than this government and its destructive policy," said she.

The DSS can offer its 21 votes in parliament, while 105 other MPs would have to join their ranks for a successful bid to bring down the government.

Other opposition parties also want early elections, but are less enthusiastic about the technical coalition idea.

Still, should the DSS cut a deal with Tomislav Nikolić's SNS, the party would "certainly lose the support of the Radicals (SRS)", say reports.

"We can [work] with everyone, except the foreign mercenaries of the SNS," Dragan Todorović, SRS, was quoted as saying.

As for the NATO referendum initiative, DSS official Nebojša POpović said that it came although the idea for the country to join this military alliance is not in the Cvetković cabinet program.

The reason for this, Popović explained, is because the government "can't ne trusted not to make such a decision after all".