Nikolić remains SRS member, MP

First of all, why is Frankenstein having so much difficulty getting the SAA ratified? So what now with Nikolic? Did he get bribed to assist with the ratification of the SAA? Is he going to split the party to get some more yes votes and receive his handsome reward?

It seems the US/EU are getting desperate to have Serbia within its sphere of influence, even more so now that Russia is on the offensive. Serbia is the regional power and there is no control of the Balkans without her.

I suspect lots of bribe money floating around to get the SAA through and time is running out fast so these types of drastic measures are taking place. The next few weeks will be interesting indeed!

It would be nice if B92 reported why the SAA cannot get through. Is the DS split with a few no votes amongst them?

Nikolic's departure was overdue after his failure to win several elections that could have put either him into the presidency or his party into government. Continuing to run with a repeatedly defeated and obviously tired candidate would have spelled the downfall of the party.
In addition, the fact that an aging leader was unattractive to the key youth voting block that supports the Tadic-ites required that Nikolic be replaced by a younger more energetic man.
Unfortunately, Nikolic's recent indiscreet comments to the media also breached confidentiality about internal conflict within the party, something that he should not have done no matter how frustrated he might have been.
A new leader, presumably Vucic, should be able to take the party up by the very small margin needed to form a government by bringing in the SPS defectors who, like Milosevic before them, are leaving the Socialist Party after finally realizing that only the Radical party offers a strong patriotic defense against the colonization of Serbia being attempted by the EU and U.S.
What the Radical party needs is to turn a page and to grow. Nikolic did guide the party through an era of growth but his effectiveness is over and the final step toward taking power in the next election is clearly one that must be made by a new leader.
As for Seselj, despite the fact that he is obviously innocent of the charges at the Hague, the very fact that he is there reflects the EU/U.S. fear that he would now be in charge of Serbia had he not been diverted by their kangaroo court.
They are likely to rig his case to ensure that he spends at least a few more years there, inadvertently hurting themselves by allowing Vucic and other electable Radicals to lead the party into office.
The Radical Party is now certainly more likely than ever to win an election.
Nikolic has done the right thing and should be thanked for his past efforts. He should also be reintegrated into the party in an elder statesman-like role to prove that there is life after leadership in the Radical Party. It will be important to do this so that Seselj himself has an example to follow if he only emerges from the Hague a couple of decades from now.
More than any other force in Serbian politics, the Radical Party represents a patriotic force for protection of national sovereignty. As the emerging upper middle class learns to appreciate the need for national sovereignty and understands to value of statehood instead of thinking only of their personal finances, some of them will begin to move toward the Radicals as the party prepares to form a government. A new leader is essential making this final step.

The future is bright,

John Bosnitch
john.b@imcnews.com

Cheers Olli, please pass some of that alcohol around so we can all get to your level and *hick* share our views freely!

In light of the situation in SRS I wonder what will happen with the SAA agreement. Will anybody from SRS vote for their own amendment stating that Kosovo is a part of Serbia?

Will the pitifully small street protests end, now that SRS do not want to force repeated elections and now that we can see that the protests were am attempt by SRS to unify the party?

Who will take over Todorovic or Vucic. I think that Seselj can't afford to jump over Vucic or he will have a very serious problem on his hands. On the other hand Seselj doesnt like people able to think for themselves, he wants somebody who implements his orders.

And just how much damage will Nikolic's departure mean for SRS? I don't think they will lose more than a few percent over the longer term, although it really depends on Toma and his supporters.

I actually think that SRS will split definitely after Nikolic’s resignation and most probably the major part of SRS will follow Toma Nikolic while the hardliners will stay with Seselj.

Perhaps Toma is right, he certainly does not need someone who uses outdated and very bizarre language and shows no respect for the opponents. SRS needs to be reformed and modernised as soon as possible. I truly hope to see Toma’s return in different style with majority of his supporters.

I also must ad that this event is not good at all for Serbia’s political scene since there are no other major and significant parties that could act as a true opposition, not in near future any way. Pity, really.

The only good solution would be forming a new party with Mr Kostunica or to go with Maja Gojkovic.

One thing every one of us must bear in mind and never forget that Serbia needs good political opposition, otherwise there is a threat of turning Serbia into one party system which would mean that DS would stay in ruling position for ages.

Olli I don't know about being funny but I do find it strange that people are being wise after the event.

I don't remember anybody on the right calling for Nikolic to step down after the last election and yet now some are suggesting they thought he should step down. Nor do I remember anybody having a problem with Nikolic running the country with Kostunica (and Seselj in the shadows from the Hague). Now (ZK!) because the right was split on the SAA issue it is being suggested that Nikolic somehow sold out - although mind nobody from SRS is saying that, not yet anyway.

I wonder how long Nikolic was supposedly a traitor in their midst... I wonder if anybody who deviates from a certain position suddenly becomes a traitor, or on the payroll of somebody else. Woe betide anybody to have genuine opinions of their own, oh no, they must follow the diktat of the one leader at the top...

ZK as far as I'm aware the SAA will be passed in parliament. The idea was to get as many parties on board for the sake of legitimacy. But due to the infighting within SRS that isn't possible anymore. But lets see, there should be a vote next week.

Oh, there is something else worth considering. Democracy inside parties and the SAA. Now that Nikolic lost this battle against the hardliners, but was brave enough to admit differences publicly, what price that some within DSS will press for a change of policy on SAA?

How can it be, they will argue, that DSS is currently one of the least democratic parties in terms of how party decisions are made, and that even within SRS there are those who have the courage of conviction to stand their ground?

And what price on Vucic causing a few shock waves of his own if he is passed over for the top position when he is currently No2 to Vojislav Seselj? He won't go quietly like Nikolic.

ach, split, isnt that a town in croatia :) anyway seriously, like tadic's coalition partner mr milosevic used to say, malo morgen. nikolic just got himslef sacked, theres no split. and if voters go anywhere it will be dss, ns, certainly not ds puppets and their minions.
looking forward to 'independent media' suddenly promotig the object of their hatred and slander into 'fighter for european serbia'
this country is truly miserable and it seems to start and end with the media and that misery has media everywhere in between.
when media is so easily and effortlessly harnessed, sold, bought, used and abused something is truly rotten in a society.
can we change that by appointing new bia chief? :))
and anyway on that note as we presumably all know way back when, srs was put together by db, now called bia, and what db giveth, db taketh away one presumes.

It is always a pleasure to draw fire here from posters like "Olli" and "bgagnon" whoever they might be. That's the best sign that I've hit a bull's eye with my comments.

To Olli's remarks above, I say that everything I write here is presented in the utmost seriousness. That's why I sign my name to every submission. Nikolic had proven unable to take the Radical Party into power either in the presidency or in parliament for so long that his departure was overdue. That is not a reproach nor criticism of the man, who did his best, but merely a statement of fact.

Nikolic's departure as leader will allow the party to refocus to appeal to the youth voting block and to the disgruntled Socialist Party members who object to being in alliance with the Tadic-ites. With the margin as close as it is now, only a couple of percentage points of political shift would remove Tadic's party from power. These are the facts, not sarcasm nor ridicule, which I'm saving for the ruling clique.

As for bgagnon's mock surprise at the fact that none of us "on the right" spoke openly about Nikolic's political shelf life... we have a great deal to thank Nikolic for in terms of building up the patriotic forces in Serbia. It was therefore merely good form to let him determine the date and manner of his departure from the top position without raising any kind of complaints.

Each of us must play his or her own role in restoring the independence and honor of the Serbian nation. Nikolic has played his, the door is now open to Vucic or any other energetic personality to go the next leg of the journey.

Neither the Radicals nor Kostunica's DSS should deviate from opposition to closer ties with the EU. They have the true picture of what the EU is doing in Kosovo and only they can stop it.

As a consultant, I would give this same analysis to any client in a similar situation. As a Serb, it is my privilege and an honor to openly discuss my thoughts here, despite knowing that there are those whose very livelihood depends on keeping Serbia down.

I have no fear of them as I already know that they will lose and that Serbia will succeed in freeing itself.

Onward to an independent, free Serbia!

John Bosnitch
john.b@imcnews.com

I am glad that there is no consensus on Solana's deal but Dr. Seseljs actions were inappropriate; if the main opposition party must function with a deputy leader; he can not be undermined or his opposition is useless and weak.

The fact that the Hague case against Seselj is a farce does not make Dr. Seselj a good or likely choice to lead Serbia. Instead, the case against him makes it impossible for him to defend his name and competently lead the Radicals as an Absentee leader.

Either the Radical Party is a conservative party that reflects the ideals of traditionalist patriots, or it is the Vojislav Seselj show-it can not be both.

If Mr. Vucic is offered the role of deputy leader, the party will be in much better condition if Mr. Vucic receives assurances of non interference from Dr. Seselj.

bganon, it seems you have a better understanding of the internal workings of these political parties. I am just an observer on the surface and can only express my opinion from what I read here.

In terms of ratifying the SAA, I expect each party member to generally take the party line. I don't see why Nikolic would resign over an issue that according to you is already determined? Unless there is a split within the DS and SPS?

If the SAA is not ratified this month then it is in trouble so lets see what happens. What is going on with the SRS is not unusual at all. It happens quite frequently to political parties here in the UK. There's not reason to believe it wont come out a stronger party.

smile, I agree with you. Every time I come home (to Belgrade) I don't really keep up with the news and tend to be out enjoying the city more often than not.

Years ago I used to be sad because there were no new episodes of Monty Python on TV. But since I started reading readers comments on B92 news dark clouds got cleared away from the sky. And the witty sun warms me again.

Here on B92 perform many top geniuses of satire, and of absolute elite is John Bosnitch. I love Bosnitch's use of sarcasm and ridicule in exposing the stupidity and folly of life, especially of political life.

Today he makes fun of SRS supporters, heartfully imitating their responses to recent on-goings in the party. Bosnitch writes:

"The Radical Party is now certainly more likely than ever to win an election. [...] The party prepares to form a government. [...] The future is bright."

ZK the two systems are vastly different. Serbia is plagued by party politics, whereas in the UK, even if the party line is usually toed, a backbencher may vote against his party on an issue he is known to feel strongly about. Alternatively in the British system an old backbencher who may have already served a previous government can vote against his government without facing deselection.

In Serbia, particularly in the right wing parties, one has no choice but to follow the leader. If not you are out, as is shown by the Nikolic example and Gojkovic before him.

The issue was not already determined. Nikolic had decided that his party would vote for the SAA, for the amendment and Seselj overruled him from the Hague. For Nikolic that was the last straw.

Seselj thinks that SRS is his playtool that he can do what he likes with. That one man is more important than both the party or the country. I don't need to tell you what I think of that kind of (communistic) thinking. Cult of personality sucks big time.

What happened in the SRS was not only unusual, it was unprecedented in modern Serbian political history. Again you cannot compare the two political systems like this.

SRS and their supporters like their message simple, they want one leader, they believe in the principle of a firm hand. What confuses and depresses them more than ever is having to think too much or having alternative options within the party. Its a mistake to think SRS vote will collapse or that they will go to DSS. What will happen is that some SRS supporters just won't bother voting any more, but it wont be more than a few percent. BUT and its a big but, now it depends on the reaction of Vucic. If he starts rocking the boat, SRS will be in trouble.

Again I don't think that SRS will become a stronger party. Because of their supporters profile, party splits and disunity is highly damaging to parties like SRS. This hasn't been the case with parties supported by floating voters such as DS. There is a split, a new party is formed, but the main party survives. Thats because the voter profile is different.

I do feel a bit badly for Nikolic. I still can't quite believe he's gone from the political scene.

SRS backstabbed Nikolic.

for me all this is a good sign. SRS is not united anymore - and who knows, if they will not split. at least, the leaders in the second and third row, they will discuss more their own future than the future of Serbia. they will either protect their own privilegues or go with Nikolic, as soon he offers an alternative party without Seselj. yeaah, another Pandora's box has been opened by backstabbing Nikolic by his own "friends".

But ZK UK isn't funny at all. I think he may mean what he says.

Years ago I used to be sad because there were no new episodes of Monty Python on TV. But since I started reading readers comments on B92 news dark clouds got cleared away from the sky. And the witty sun warms me again.

Here on B92 perform many top geniuses of satire, and of absolute elite is John Bosnitch. I love Bosnitch's use of sarcasm and ridicule in exposing the stupidity and folly of life, especially of political life.

Today he makes fun of SRS supporters, heartfully imitating their responses to recent on-goings in the party. Bosnitch writes:

"The Radical Party is now certainly more likely than ever to win an election. [...] The party prepares to form a government. [...] The future is bright."

But ZK UK isn't funny at all. I think he may mean what he says.

In light of the situation in SRS I wonder what will happen with the SAA agreement. Will anybody from SRS vote for their own amendment stating that Kosovo is a part of Serbia?

Will the pitifully small street protests end, now that SRS do not want to force repeated elections and now that we can see that the protests were am attempt by SRS to unify the party?

Who will take over Todorovic or Vucic. I think that Seselj can't afford to jump over Vucic or he will have a very serious problem on his hands. On the other hand Seselj doesnt like people able to think for themselves, he wants somebody who implements his orders.

And just how much damage will Nikolic's departure mean for SRS? I don't think they will lose more than a few percent over the longer term, although it really depends on Toma and his supporters.

I actually think that SRS will split definitely after Nikolic’s resignation and most probably the major part of SRS will follow Toma Nikolic while the hardliners will stay with Seselj.

Perhaps Toma is right, he certainly does not need someone who uses outdated and very bizarre language and shows no respect for the opponents. SRS needs to be reformed and modernised as soon as possible. I truly hope to see Toma’s return in different style with majority of his supporters.

I also must ad that this event is not good at all for Serbia’s political scene since there are no other major and significant parties that could act as a true opposition, not in near future any way. Pity, really.

The only good solution would be forming a new party with Mr Kostunica or to go with Maja Gojkovic.

One thing every one of us must bear in mind and never forget that Serbia needs good political opposition, otherwise there is a threat of turning Serbia into one party system which would mean that DS would stay in ruling position for ages.

Nikolic's departure was overdue after his failure to win several elections that could have put either him into the presidency or his party into government. Continuing to run with a repeatedly defeated and obviously tired candidate would have spelled the downfall of the party.
In addition, the fact that an aging leader was unattractive to the key youth voting block that supports the Tadic-ites required that Nikolic be replaced by a younger more energetic man.
Unfortunately, Nikolic's recent indiscreet comments to the media also breached confidentiality about internal conflict within the party, something that he should not have done no matter how frustrated he might have been.
A new leader, presumably Vucic, should be able to take the party up by the very small margin needed to form a government by bringing in the SPS defectors who, like Milosevic before them, are leaving the Socialist Party after finally realizing that only the Radical party offers a strong patriotic defense against the colonization of Serbia being attempted by the EU and U.S.
What the Radical party needs is to turn a page and to grow. Nikolic did guide the party through an era of growth but his effectiveness is over and the final step toward taking power in the next election is clearly one that must be made by a new leader.
As for Seselj, despite the fact that he is obviously innocent of the charges at the Hague, the very fact that he is there reflects the EU/U.S. fear that he would now be in charge of Serbia had he not been diverted by their kangaroo court.
They are likely to rig his case to ensure that he spends at least a few more years there, inadvertently hurting themselves by allowing Vucic and other electable Radicals to lead the party into office.
The Radical Party is now certainly more likely than ever to win an election.
Nikolic has done the right thing and should be thanked for his past efforts. He should also be reintegrated into the party in an elder statesman-like role to prove that there is life after leadership in the Radical Party. It will be important to do this so that Seselj himself has an example to follow if he only emerges from the Hague a couple of decades from now.
More than any other force in Serbian politics, the Radical Party represents a patriotic force for protection of national sovereignty. As the emerging upper middle class learns to appreciate the need for national sovereignty and understands to value of statehood instead of thinking only of their personal finances, some of them will begin to move toward the Radicals as the party prepares to form a government. A new leader is essential making this final step.

The future is bright,

John Bosnitch
john.b@imcnews.com

First of all, why is Frankenstein having so much difficulty getting the SAA ratified? So what now with Nikolic? Did he get bribed to assist with the ratification of the SAA? Is he going to split the party to get some more yes votes and receive his handsome reward?

It seems the US/EU are getting desperate to have Serbia within its sphere of influence, even more so now that Russia is on the offensive. Serbia is the regional power and there is no control of the Balkans without her.

I suspect lots of bribe money floating around to get the SAA through and time is running out fast so these types of drastic measures are taking place. The next few weeks will be interesting indeed!

It would be nice if B92 reported why the SAA cannot get through. Is the DS split with a few no votes amongst them?

Olli I don't know about being funny but I do find it strange that people are being wise after the event.

I don't remember anybody on the right calling for Nikolic to step down after the last election and yet now some are suggesting they thought he should step down. Nor do I remember anybody having a problem with Nikolic running the country with Kostunica (and Seselj in the shadows from the Hague). Now (ZK!) because the right was split on the SAA issue it is being suggested that Nikolic somehow sold out - although mind nobody from SRS is saying that, not yet anyway.

I wonder how long Nikolic was supposedly a traitor in their midst... I wonder if anybody who deviates from a certain position suddenly becomes a traitor, or on the payroll of somebody else. Woe betide anybody to have genuine opinions of their own, oh no, they must follow the diktat of the one leader at the top...

ZK as far as I'm aware the SAA will be passed in parliament. The idea was to get as many parties on board for the sake of legitimacy. But due to the infighting within SRS that isn't possible anymore. But lets see, there should be a vote next week.

Oh, there is something else worth considering. Democracy inside parties and the SAA. Now that Nikolic lost this battle against the hardliners, but was brave enough to admit differences publicly, what price that some within DSS will press for a change of policy on SAA?

How can it be, they will argue, that DSS is currently one of the least democratic parties in terms of how party decisions are made, and that even within SRS there are those who have the courage of conviction to stand their ground?

And what price on Vucic causing a few shock waves of his own if he is passed over for the top position when he is currently No2 to Vojislav Seselj? He won't go quietly like Nikolic.

ach, split, isnt that a town in croatia :) anyway seriously, like tadic's coalition partner mr milosevic used to say, malo morgen. nikolic just got himslef sacked, theres no split. and if voters go anywhere it will be dss, ns, certainly not ds puppets and their minions.
looking forward to 'independent media' suddenly promotig the object of their hatred and slander into 'fighter for european serbia'
this country is truly miserable and it seems to start and end with the media and that misery has media everywhere in between.
when media is so easily and effortlessly harnessed, sold, bought, used and abused something is truly rotten in a society.
can we change that by appointing new bia chief? :))
and anyway on that note as we presumably all know way back when, srs was put together by db, now called bia, and what db giveth, db taketh away one presumes.

I am glad that there is no consensus on Solana's deal but Dr. Seseljs actions were inappropriate; if the main opposition party must function with a deputy leader; he can not be undermined or his opposition is useless and weak.

The fact that the Hague case against Seselj is a farce does not make Dr. Seselj a good or likely choice to lead Serbia. Instead, the case against him makes it impossible for him to defend his name and competently lead the Radicals as an Absentee leader.

Either the Radical Party is a conservative party that reflects the ideals of traditionalist patriots, or it is the Vojislav Seselj show-it can not be both.

If Mr. Vucic is offered the role of deputy leader, the party will be in much better condition if Mr. Vucic receives assurances of non interference from Dr. Seselj.

ZK the two systems are vastly different. Serbia is plagued by party politics, whereas in the UK, even if the party line is usually toed, a backbencher may vote against his party on an issue he is known to feel strongly about. Alternatively in the British system an old backbencher who may have already served a previous government can vote against his government without facing deselection.

In Serbia, particularly in the right wing parties, one has no choice but to follow the leader. If not you are out, as is shown by the Nikolic example and Gojkovic before him.

The issue was not already determined. Nikolic had decided that his party would vote for the SAA, for the amendment and Seselj overruled him from the Hague. For Nikolic that was the last straw.

Seselj thinks that SRS is his playtool that he can do what he likes with. That one man is more important than both the party or the country. I don't need to tell you what I think of that kind of (communistic) thinking. Cult of personality sucks big time.

What happened in the SRS was not only unusual, it was unprecedented in modern Serbian political history. Again you cannot compare the two political systems like this.

SRS and their supporters like their message simple, they want one leader, they believe in the principle of a firm hand. What confuses and depresses them more than ever is having to think too much or having alternative options within the party. Its a mistake to think SRS vote will collapse or that they will go to DSS. What will happen is that some SRS supporters just won't bother voting any more, but it wont be more than a few percent. BUT and its a big but, now it depends on the reaction of Vucic. If he starts rocking the boat, SRS will be in trouble.

Again I don't think that SRS will become a stronger party. Because of their supporters profile, party splits and disunity is highly damaging to parties like SRS. This hasn't been the case with parties supported by floating voters such as DS. There is a split, a new party is formed, but the main party survives. Thats because the voter profile is different.

I do feel a bit badly for Nikolic. I still can't quite believe he's gone from the political scene.

Cheers Olli, please pass some of that alcohol around so we can all get to your level and *hick* share our views freely!

bganon, it seems you have a better understanding of the internal workings of these political parties. I am just an observer on the surface and can only express my opinion from what I read here.

In terms of ratifying the SAA, I expect each party member to generally take the party line. I don't see why Nikolic would resign over an issue that according to you is already determined? Unless there is a split within the DS and SPS?

If the SAA is not ratified this month then it is in trouble so lets see what happens. What is going on with the SRS is not unusual at all. It happens quite frequently to political parties here in the UK. There's not reason to believe it wont come out a stronger party.

smile, I agree with you. Every time I come home (to Belgrade) I don't really keep up with the news and tend to be out enjoying the city more often than not.

It is always a pleasure to draw fire here from posters like "Olli" and "bgagnon" whoever they might be. That's the best sign that I've hit a bull's eye with my comments.

To Olli's remarks above, I say that everything I write here is presented in the utmost seriousness. That's why I sign my name to every submission. Nikolic had proven unable to take the Radical Party into power either in the presidency or in parliament for so long that his departure was overdue. That is not a reproach nor criticism of the man, who did his best, but merely a statement of fact.

Nikolic's departure as leader will allow the party to refocus to appeal to the youth voting block and to the disgruntled Socialist Party members who object to being in alliance with the Tadic-ites. With the margin as close as it is now, only a couple of percentage points of political shift would remove Tadic's party from power. These are the facts, not sarcasm nor ridicule, which I'm saving for the ruling clique.

As for bgagnon's mock surprise at the fact that none of us "on the right" spoke openly about Nikolic's political shelf life... we have a great deal to thank Nikolic for in terms of building up the patriotic forces in Serbia. It was therefore merely good form to let him determine the date and manner of his departure from the top position without raising any kind of complaints.

Each of us must play his or her own role in restoring the independence and honor of the Serbian nation. Nikolic has played his, the door is now open to Vucic or any other energetic personality to go the next leg of the journey.

Neither the Radicals nor Kostunica's DSS should deviate from opposition to closer ties with the EU. They have the true picture of what the EU is doing in Kosovo and only they can stop it.

As a consultant, I would give this same analysis to any client in a similar situation. As a Serb, it is my privilege and an honor to openly discuss my thoughts here, despite knowing that there are those whose very livelihood depends on keeping Serbia down.

I have no fear of them as I already know that they will lose and that Serbia will succeed in freeing itself.

Onward to an independent, free Serbia!

John Bosnitch
john.b@imcnews.com

SRS backstabbed Nikolic.

for me all this is a good sign. SRS is not united anymore - and who knows, if they will not split. at least, the leaders in the second and third row, they will discuss more their own future than the future of Serbia. they will either protect their own privilegues or go with Nikolic, as soon he offers an alternative party without Seselj. yeaah, another Pandora's box has been opened by backstabbing Nikolic by his own "friends".