Likely kingmaker Dačić hints at seeking premiership

Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader Ivica Dacic says the pre-election coalition gathered around his party was "the biggest winner of the elections". He also hinted that he would be the country's next premier: Likely kingmaker Dacic hints at seeking premiership "Perhaps it is not known who will be Serbia's president, but it is known full well who will be prime minister." Boris Tadic (DS) and Tomislav Nikolic (SNS) will decide the outcome of the presidential ballot in the runoff two weeks from now; Dacic came in third in that race, while his party also trailed behind the Democrats and the Progressives in the parliamentary election. However, about 16 percent of the vote that could translate to 45 seats in Serbia's 250-seat parliament will mean that the two big parties may both have to look to the Socialists for support to form the next cabinet. "If these elections were to be analyzed politically - regardless of the fact some presidential candidates and some lists won more votes - it is certain that we are the biggest winners here," said Dacic. Asked who he would support in the presidential runoff, Dacic said that this depended on which party would strike "a general deal" with his Socialists, and added that "there will be no support for someone who's out forging a government with others". Still, Dacic revealed that he would "first talk to the Democratic Party, his current partners", but that he would also "not shy from talking to the Serb Progressives (SNS)". He also noted that it was possible for the DS and the SNS to form a government together, but noted that "that would be odd, since they're headed for the second (presidential) round". Dacic also made a pun in Serbian when he said that the SPS "would not work with parties (clients) on Monday": "We had a big campaign. If they're in a hurry, that's their problem. It's not up to them to decide." Boris Tadic addressed reporters on Sunday to say that negotiations on a coalition that would form the next government would start after the second round of presidential elections, while Tomislav Nikolic said his party would launch these talks "within the next 48 hours". Dacic also noted during his news conference that the pre-election alliance he was heading - comprised of the Pensioners' Party (PUPS) and United Serbia (JS) - won some 330,000 votes in 2008, while today they managed to receive more than half a million in both presidential and parliamentary ballots. Dacic said this was "the best result since October 5, 2000" - the day the SPS, along with its founder and lifelong leader, Slobodan Milosevic, was ousted from power. The Socialists returned in 2008 through their post-election coalition with the Democrats (DS), and Dacic today serves and deputy prime minister and interior minister in the outgoing government. Ivica Dacic and party officials address reporters (Tanjug) B92 Tanjug

Likely kingmaker Dačić hints at seeking premiership

"Perhaps it is not known who will be Serbia's president, but it is known full well who will be prime minister."

Boris Tadić (DS) and Tomislav Nikolić (SNS) will decide the outcome of the presidential ballot in the runoff two weeks from now; Dačić came in third in that race, while his party also trailed behind the Democrats and the Progressives in the parliamentary election.

However, about 16 percent of the vote that could translate to 45 seats in Serbia's 250-seat parliament will mean that the two big parties may both have to look to the Socialists for support to form the next cabinet.

"If these elections were to be analyzed politically - regardless of the fact some presidential candidates and some lists won more votes - it is certain that we are the biggest winners here," said Dačić.

Asked who he would support in the presidential runoff, Dačić said that this depended on which party would strike "a general deal" with his Socialists, and added that "there will be no support for someone who's out forging a government with others".

Still, Dačić revealed that he would "first talk to the Democratic Party, his current partners", but that he would also "not shy from talking to the Serb Progressives (SNS)".

He also noted that it was possible for the DS and the SNS to form a government together, but noted that "that would be odd, since they're headed for the second (presidential) round".

Dačić also made a pun in Serbian when he said that the SPS "would not work with parties (clients) on Monday":

"We had a big campaign. If they're in a hurry, that's their problem. It's not up to them to decide."

Boris Tadić addressed reporters on Sunday to say that negotiations on a coalition that would form the next government would start after the second round of presidential elections, while Tomislav Nikolić said his party would launch these talks "within the next 48 hours".

Dačić also noted during his news conference that the pre-election alliance he was heading - comprised of the Pensioners' Party (PUPS) and United Serbia (JS) - won some 330,000 votes in 2008, while today they managed to receive more than half a million in both presidential and parliamentary ballots.

Dačić said this was "the best result since October 5, 2000" - the day the SPS, along with its founder and lifelong leader, Slobodan Milošević, was ousted from power.

The Socialists returned in 2008 through their post-election coalition with the Democrats (DS), and Dačić today serves and deputy prime minister and interior minister in the outgoing government.