DS leader Tadić: People want pro-EU policy

Presidential candidate Boris Tadic says the presidential election runoff on May 20 will see Serbia "definitely set its course for the next five years". In an interview for the Belgrade-based tabloid Press, the leader of the Democratic Party (DS) said he was convinced the people would support a continuation "of a clear, pro-European (EU) policy which brings in new investments, jobs and stability". DS leader Tadic: People want pro-EU policy "We must not gamble with this. We all need to go to the polls on May 20 and give our vote for a peaceful and safe future," said Tadic. Commenting on Serb Progressive Party (SNS) leader and presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolic's accusations of ballot theft in the first round, Tadic said that when Nikolic saw he was losing he tried to "set a new dynamic for the election in a similar way as when he attempted to get early elections by going on a hunger strike" in April last year. "It is dangerous that he will stop at nothing, not even destabilization, threats of confrontations and violence, because he wants something that he failed to win in the election. If the OSCE, CeSID and observers from all parties, including the SNS, determine at every polling station that there were no irregularities, then Tomislav Nikolic's behavior shows only that he cannot take defeat well," Tadic said, calling on the competent authorities to investigate everything. Speaking about the future government, Tadic said it should be efficient and function as a team having a clear plan, a goal and the courage to do whatever needs to be done. "The most important task of the future government will be the fight for new investments," he stressed. If investments keep coming in, this will decisively influence the economic stability and gross national income, and will improve the living standard, he said. When it comes to future partners, Tadic said that the DS had agreed with the Socialist Party of Serbia-Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Serbia coalition about the program goals and the continuation of the "fair and effective cooperation" they have had. "We will also talk with other potential partners whose vision of Serbia's future is similar to ours, but only after May 20. The second round of the election is crucial and I'm now completely focused on it," Tadic said. Tadic is seen campaigning in Belgrade (Tanjug) Tanjug Press

DS leader Tadić: People want pro-EU policy

"We must not gamble with this. We all need to go to the polls on May 20 and give our vote for a peaceful and safe future," said Tadić.

Commenting on Serb Progressive Party (SNS) leader and presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolić's accusations of ballot theft in the first round, Tadić said that when Nikolić saw he was losing he tried to "set a new dynamic for the election in a similar way as when he attempted to get early elections by going on a hunger strike" in April last year.

"It is dangerous that he will stop at nothing, not even destabilization, threats of confrontations and violence, because he wants something that he failed to win in the election. If the OSCE, CeSID and observers from all parties, including the SNS, determine at every polling station that there were no irregularities, then Tomislav Nikolić's behavior shows only that he cannot take defeat well," Tadić said, calling on the competent authorities to investigate everything.

Speaking about the future government, Tadić said it should be efficient and function as a team having a clear plan, a goal and the courage to do whatever needs to be done.

"The most important task of the future government will be the fight for new investments," he stressed.

If investments keep coming in, this will decisively influence the economic stability and gross national income, and will improve the living standard, he said.

When it comes to future partners, Tadić said that the DS had agreed with the Socialist Party of Serbia-Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Serbia coalition about the program goals and the continuation of the "fair and effective cooperation" they have had.

"We will also talk with other potential partners whose vision of Serbia's future is similar to ours, but only after May 20. The second round of the election is crucial and I'm now completely focused on it," Tadić said.