Tadić talks unemployment, rivals' "chauvinism"

Boris Tadic admitted that the current government, headed by his party, "did not solve the unemployment problem", and asserted that was its "main shortcoming". At the same time, he accused the main rivals of his Democrats (DS) - the opposition Serb Progressive Party (SNS) - of having "nothing to show for its activities except destruction, chauvinism and violence". Tadic talks unemployment, rivals' "chauvinism" Tadic, who resigned as Serbia's president earlier this month and is now campaigning for a third term in office, said that "we did create 200,000 news jobs, but the crisis took 400,000 more", and promised that "solving that problem" will be the priority of a new government that he expects will be formed by the DS and the coalition gathered around them. In an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Politika, he said he was convinced that the next prime minister would also come from the ranks of the Democrats, and that this person "must have enough credibility, both political and professional, to lead a team that will deal with the crisis". Asked about the differences between the DS and the SNS, Tadic stated that while his party "confirmed its policy with deeds", their political rivals "have nothing to show for, no results": "The only consequence of their activity is destruction, chauvinism and violence. In the 1990s these people conducted a dangerous war-mongering policy, they were even against the agreement that ended the (NATO) bombing in 1999. Until a few years ago they celebrated war criminals, they wished to rename the Zoran Djindjic Boulevard after Ratko Mladic, they were destroying Belgrade because (Radovan) Karadzic was arrested." Tadic went on to describe SNS leader and presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolic as "an unpredictable, unreliable person, who flip-flops, with whom one is uncertain where one stands, and who cannot be trusted". Tadic added that "people should not play with such a serious thing like elections, and risk their children's future and Serbia's destiny". The SNS and its Nikolic are currently polling ahead of Tadic and his Democrats. The SNS was formed in 2008 when it broke away from the Serb Radicals (SRS). Serbians will on May 6 vote in parliamentary, local and presidential elections. Boris Tadic (Beta, file) Beta Politika

Tadić talks unemployment, rivals' "chauvinism"

Tadić, who resigned as Serbia's president earlier this month and is now campaigning for a third term in office, said that "we did create 200,000 news jobs, but the crisis took 400,000 more", and promised that "solving that problem" will be the priority of a new government that he expects will be formed by the DS and the coalition gathered around them.

In an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Politika, he said he was convinced that the next prime minister would also come from the ranks of the Democrats, and that this person "must have enough credibility, both political and professional, to lead a team that will deal with the crisis".

Asked about the differences between the DS and the SNS, Tadić stated that while his party "confirmed its policy with deeds", their political rivals "have nothing to show for, no results":

"The only consequence of their activity is destruction, chauvinism and violence. In the 1990s these people conducted a dangerous war-mongering policy, they were even against the agreement that ended the (NATO) bombing in 1999. Until a few years ago they celebrated war criminals, they wished to rename the Zoran Đinđić Boulevard after Ratko Mladić, they were destroying Belgrade because (Radovan) Karadžić was arrested."

Tadić went on to describe SNS leader and presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolić as "an unpredictable, unreliable person, who flip-flops, with whom one is uncertain where one stands, and who cannot be trusted".

Tadić added that "people should not play with such a serious thing like elections, and risk their children's future and Serbia's destiny".

The SNS and its Nikolić are currently polling ahead of Tadić and his Democrats. The SNS was formed in 2008 when it broke away from the Serb Radicals (SRS).

Serbians will on May 6 vote in parliamentary, local and presidential elections.