February run-off to decide Serbian result

SERBIA:Serbia's presidential election will be decided in a February 3rd run-off, after exit polls showed that neither ultra-nationalist challenger Tomislav Nikolic nor incumbent liberal Boris Tadic won an overall majority in yesterday's vote.

The exit polls gave Mr Nikolic 39.5 per cent of ballots and Mr Tadic 35.3 per cent, setting the scene for two weeks of intense campaigning and a tight second round in an election that both candidates say will decide Serbia's political course for the years ahead.

Mr Nikolic favours closer ties with Russia over membership of a European Union that backs Kosovo's bid for independence. Mr Tadic also refuses to accept sovereignty for the mostly Albanian region, but insists that Belgrade must strengthen links with Brussels and Washington and ultimately join the EU.

"Serbia has shown that it wants a change," declared Mr Nikolic last night. "We have the basis for a victory in the second round. We were never closer to a final victory. No one can stop us."

After casting his ballot, Mr Nikolic - who is in charge of the Radical Party while founder Vojislav Seselj stands trial for war crimes - pledged to restore Serb pride that has been battered by years of war, poverty and isolation. "There will be no more blackmail and humiliation," he said.

"Russia is a much closer partner to Serbia, but if the European Union wants to open up its doors and no longer impose obstacles, we will be glad to join the EU." After casting his ballot, Mr Tadic urged Serbs not to give up on EU membership.

"This election decides which path Serbia is going to take and what is the future for Serbia and our children," he said.

"This vote is the first half of the match. The second half, on February 3rd, will be a chance to once again decide to conquer Europe, a better life, better salaries and pensions, greater security." Election monitors said turnout was a higher-than-expected 61 per cent, suggesting voters responded to candidates' claims that the election would determine Serbia's political course.

"The significance of the post [ of president] and the predictions for a tight result motivated people to go out and vote," said Belgrade analyst Djordje Vukovic.

"People realised it's a very important election as, depending on who wins, Serbia will decide its future orientation, to the EU or Russia. This is the biggest dilemma at the moment."