DSS: No coalition if no deal on principles

Kostunica's DSS has linked the fate of the ruling coalition to agreement on principles made public several days ago. The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) spokesman Branislav Ristivojevic said today in Belgrade that the prime minister's party believes there will be no crisis in the ruling coalition if a deal is made where the Democrats would agree to a DSS-NS joint announcement made last week. DSS: No coalition if no deal on principles The statement from the two parties forming a pre-parliamentary elections coalition ahead of the vote early this year, said that Serbia can only enter the EU with all of its territory. The ruling coalition, put together last May, is made up of President Boris Tadic's Democratic Party (DS), DSS-NS, and G17 Plus. "If we agree on these things there will be no crisis in the coalition, but if we don't, then it will happen," Ristivojevic emphasized. "The ruling coalition policy was defined at the very start and if someone abandons that policy then we have a crisis," he told reporters. Five principles were adopted by the parties that formed the government, including defending the country's territorial integrity and keeping Kosovo within Serbia, but also integrating Serbia into the EU. "To us, Serbia is always above all else and a top priority. We have never said that we will enter the EU in exchange for a piece of our territory, that is something you could not have heard from any member of the ruling coalition," Ristivojevic said. He added there were currently no ongoing consultations within the coalition over the DSS-NS principles announced last week. As for the presidential elections and the question whether Kostunica will back Tadic's bid to be reelected, the DSS spokesman said that this party saw Kosovo as its priority, was "not involved in elections", and "not considering giving support to candidates or campaigns". But earlier today, media reported that ranking DSS official Milos Aligrudic said it was "most logical" to support a joint coalition candidate. Stating that “everything first has to be discussed,” Aligrudic said that “December 31 is the deadline for taking the decision over who and what to support.” “We don’t support any of the candidates because they’re nice, good-looking or clever, but because of their manifesto,” he said in an interview with today’s edition of daily Pravda. Asked about supporting New Serbia leader and coalition partner Velimir Ilic, the DSS official replied that “as far as the other candidates are concerned, you can’t tell people what to do and what not to do.” “The DSS only talks about what they think is for the good of the people. Some people might not realize this immediately, but, with time, I’m sure they will,” he said. Asked whether President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica had discussed support at the elections, Aligrudic responded that “there are definitely meetings at some level when necessary.” Ristivojevic talks to journalists (Tanjug)

DSS: No coalition if no deal on principles

The statement from the two parties forming a pre-parliamentary elections coalition ahead of the vote early this year, said that Serbia can only enter the EU with all of its territory.

The ruling coalition, put together last May, is made up of President Boris Tadić's Democratic Party (DS), DSS-NS, and G17 Plus.

"If we agree on these things there will be no crisis in the coalition, but if we don't, then it will happen," Ristivojević emphasized.

"The ruling coalition policy was defined at the very start and if someone abandons that policy then we have a crisis," he told reporters.

Five principles were adopted by the parties that formed the government, including defending the country's territorial integrity and keeping Kosovo within Serbia, but also integrating Serbia into the EU.

"To us, Serbia is always above all else and a top priority. We have never said that we will enter the EU in exchange for a piece of our territory, that is something you could not have heard from any member of the ruling coalition," Ristivojević said.

He added there were currently no ongoing consultations within the coalition over the DSS-NS principles announced last week.

As for the presidential elections and the question whether Koštunica will back Tadić's bid to be reelected, the DSS spokesman said that this party saw Kosovo as its priority, was "not involved in elections", and "not considering giving support to candidates or campaigns".

But earlier today, media reported that ranking DSS official Miloš Aligrudić said it was "most logical" to support a joint coalition candidate.

Stating that “everything first has to be discussed,” Aligrudić said that “December 31 is the deadline for taking the decision over who and what to support.”

“We don’t support any of the candidates because they’re nice, good-looking or clever, but because of their manifesto,” he said in an interview with today’s edition of daily Pravda.

Asked about supporting New Serbia leader and coalition partner Velimir Ilić, the DSS official replied that “as far as the other candidates are concerned, you can’t tell people what to do and what not to do.”

“The DSS only talks about what they think is for the good of the people. Some people might not realize this immediately, but, with time, I’m sure they will,” he said.

Asked whether President Boris Tadić and Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica had discussed support at the elections, Aligrudić responded that “there are definitely meetings at some level when necessary.”