DS, SRS campaign HQs: Ecstasy and agony

The mood in the Democrats' and Radicals' election headquarters last night was predictably very different. Boris Tadic (DS) and Tomislav Nikolic (SRS) entered the second round of the Serbian presidential ballot with pollsters predicting a nail-biting finish, and unwilling to predict the outcome. DS, SRS campaign HQs: Ecstasy and agony This gave both camps equal reason for worry and optimism Sunday, but in the end Tadic won his second term in office, sending his supporters into euphoria. At the same time, the Radicals, who in the past seven years regularly secure huge support in the polls, but never manage to actually gain power, tasted another bitter defeat. Fireworks, dancing in the streets, chanting, music, marked the celebrations that Tadic's voters took to the streets of Belgrade, but also other towns across Serbia. The president addressed the crowd at the Terazije Square in a victory rally that ended before midnight, but the joy and celebrations continued well after. Today, the telephones are still ringing off the hook at the DS headquarters. Citizens are calling to congratulate Tadic on his victory. The premises need to be cleaned after thousands of jubilant party officials, supporters and journalists awaited and then celebrated the election's results there last night. A wholly different mood engulfed the Nikolic camp last night, as soon as first reliable results reached his party. Although he won 186,000 votes more than the Democrat's candidate in the first round, the Radical hopeful suffered the same fate as four years ago, when Tadic went into the run-off with a deficit, to come out on top. However, immediately after the polls closed, the atmosphere at the SRS campaign headquarters was more than upbeat. Numerous party officials, as well as Jadranka Seselj, the wife of the Hague prisoner and party leader Vojislav Seselj, arrived at the premises. The 2007 Eurosong winner, singer Marija Serifovic, was also spotted, as was Luka Karadzic, the brother of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic. But the noisy corridors went silent as the first unofficial results started pouring in. Party officials withdrew to their offices, away from television cameras. Tomislav Nikolic, and SRS Secretary-General Aleksandar Vucic, who previously spent a full hour walking around in the crowded premises, were suddenly unavailable for comment. SRS supporters and activists, who were arriving at the party HQ, located in Zemun, were in disbelief that Tadic was indeed winning the election. Even a brass band that was waiting for a cue to start the music outside, realized that the Radicals were not in a mood to celebrate, packed up their instruments, and left into the night. Tadic and his supporters gave each other reasons to celebrate: the victory party in Belgrade (Beta)

DS, SRS campaign HQs: Ecstasy and agony

This gave both camps equal reason for worry and optimism Sunday, but in the end Tadić won his second term in office, sending his supporters into euphoria.

At the same time, the Radicals, who in the past seven years regularly secure huge support in the polls, but never manage to actually gain power, tasted another bitter defeat.

Fireworks, dancing in the streets, chanting, music, marked the celebrations that Tadić's voters took to the streets of Belgrade, but also other towns across Serbia.

The president addressed the crowd at the Terazije Square in a victory rally that ended before midnight, but the joy and celebrations continued well after.

Today, the telephones are still ringing off the hook at the DS headquarters. Citizens are calling to congratulate Tadić on his victory. The premises need to be cleaned after thousands of jubilant party officials, supporters and journalists awaited and then celebrated the election's results there last night.

A wholly different mood engulfed the Nikolić camp last night, as soon as first reliable results reached his party.

Although he won 186,000 votes more than the Democrat's candidate in the first round, the Radical hopeful suffered the same fate as four years ago, when Tadić went into the run-off with a deficit, to come out on top.

However, immediately after the polls closed, the atmosphere at the SRS campaign headquarters was more than upbeat.

Numerous party officials, as well as Jadranka Šešelj, the wife of the Hague prisoner and party leader Vojislav Šešelj, arrived at the premises.

The 2007 Eurosong winner, singer Marija Šerifović, was also spotted, as was Luka Karadžić, the brother of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadžić.

But the noisy corridors went silent as the first unofficial results started pouring in. Party officials withdrew to their offices, away from television cameras.

Tomislav Nikolić, and SRS Secretary-General Aleksandar Vučić, who previously spent a full hour walking around in the crowded premises, were suddenly unavailable for comment.

SRS supporters and activists, who were arriving at the party HQ, located in Zemun, were in disbelief that Tadić was indeed winning the election.

Even a brass band that was waiting for a cue to start the music outside, realized that the Radicals were not in a mood to celebrate, packed up their instruments, and left into the night.