Pro-EU reformers were hailed last night as the surprise victors of Serbia’s snap general election, which was seen as a referendum on whether the Balkan country’s future lay towards the West or back with its traditional ally Russia.

Nationalist parties did less well than expected despite trying to capitalise on wounded Serb pride over the declaration of independence by the province of Kosovo in February, which triggered the collapse of the previous Government.

A pro-Europe alliance led by Boris Tadic, the President, was heading for about 39 per cent of votes, according to exit polls, compared with 28.6 per cent for the Radicals, the main nationalist party under Tomislav Nikolic.

The party of Vojislav Kostunica, the outgoing Prime Minister who quit the Government and seemed likely to switch to an alliance with Mr Nikolic, was put on 11.6 per cent.

Victory was not clear-cut and Serbia seemed to be heading for days of coalition-building and bargaining to form a new administration from among five main groups. That did not stop Mr Tadic and the EU from proclaiming success for the pro-Western reformers. “It is important to say that the citizens of Serbia have undoubtedly confirmed a clear European path for Serbia,” Mr Tadic said, as counting continued last night. “They confirmed the aim to preserve our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

This was a reference to Kosovo, which Mr Tadic has also refused to recognise as independent and which he tried with some success to keep as a separate issue to Serbia’s potential membership of the EU.

The nationalists tried to use the Kosovo issue to portray the EU as antiSerb after 19 of the 27 EU countries recognised Pristina's authority, while the Radicals favoured stronger links with Russia, which has firmly rejected Kosovan independence.

“I just want to remind you that [Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian] authorities proclaimed independence just a couple of weeks ago,” Mr Tadic said. “Despite such temptation, the Serbian people have shown high political conscience and voted for the European path.”

The EU had gone out of its way to offer concessions to Serbia during the election campaign, leading to complaints of meddling by the nationalists. It agreed to sign a formal agreement to start talks on EU membership and promised to relax visa restrictions, which were a big cause of annoyance to business travellers from Serbia.

Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Minister of Slovenia, the fellow former Yugoslav nation that holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said: “The pro-European side in Serbia won, which was what we were aiming for in the European Union. It seems that President Tadic’s Democrats will have a more important role.”

“This means that Serbia will move forward ever faster to membership of the EU, and that the terrible episode of the Yugoslav war in the 1990s is forgotten.”

EU nations had feared that the nationalists would be able to capitalise on wounded Serb pride at the breakaway of Kosovo as well as disenchantment at the slow pace of reforms.

Progress on joining the EU is still dependent upon Serbia handing over its remaining war crimes suspects, including the Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic. The Radical Party, whose leader, Vojislav Seselj, is on trial at The Hague, has made it clear that it will not extradite anyone else. Its acting leader, Mr Nikolic, had said: “[The EU and Serbia] can work together as friends, but hands off our territory. If you think Kosovo must be independent, forget Serbia as the place where you’ll make money.”

Based on exit polls Mr Tadic’s pro-EU alliance would win 103 seats in Serbia’s 250-seat parliament, with 76 seats for the Radicals.

The contenders

Boris Tadic, 50

Current President, leads Democratic Party. Slogan is “For a European Serbia”. Has lost popularity after EU recognition of Kosovo, deeply resented in Serbia, where there is 30 per cent unemployment after slow reforms

Tomislav Nikolic, 56

Head of nationalist Serbian Radical Party. Looks to move away from Europe, strengthen ties with Russia, appeals to Serbian anger at independence of Kosovo. Will likely look to form coalition, possibly with Vojislav Kostunica

Vojislav Kostunica, 64

Heads Democratic Party of Serbia. He has served two terms as Prime Minister in coalition governments. Has now split from coalition with Boris Tadic, and is deeply opposed to Kosovo’s secession

Source: Agencies

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