BELGRADE -- President Boris Tadić says that Vojislav Koštunica won’t be prime minister in a new Democratic Party (DS) government.
Source: Beta
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“I refuse to cooperate with those who would take Serbia into isolation,” he said, adding that he would not shut the door on anyone who could help achieve those two aims.
Asked whether he believed Koštunica, the outgoing prime minister and Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) leader, could form a government with the Serb Radical Party (SRS), Tadić replied that that danger had existed “all these years,“ and that he had always been concerned by the DSS’s refusal to rule out such an agreement with the Radicals.
“The DSS’s effective renunciation of European integration principles led to the government’s fall. So, all the parties that have said recently that they want to work with the principles on which the previous government was based, and receive the confidence of the citizens, are welcome,“ Tadić explained.
The president said that these did not include parties that refused to give their support to the clear European option and the defense of Kosovo in the second round of the recent presidential elections.
“Here, I’m talking about the DSS, New Serbia and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). I leave the possibility open for them to change their position, but they are clearly indecisive at the moment, and are thinking more about their election result, than about the mission that faces Serbia,” he surmised.
Tadić said that an agreement had been reached for the DS to stand on a joint ticket with Rasim Ljajić’s Sandžak Democratic Party at the elections, and that talks were under way with G17 Plus.
“Whether we’ll stand individually or together is a technical matter, and we’ll see what the best solution is. In any case, G17 is a potential partner for the DS after the elections,” said the president.
He pointed out that the upcoming elections would be another opportunity to confirm that Serbia wanted to join the EU.
“There are political parties that cannot openly say that they do not support a European future, but that tried to halt the country’s integration a few days ago by abusing the issue of preservation of the country’s integrity,” Tadić claimed.
The DS leader said that certain parties had worked directly to prevent Serbia’s EU entry, and that there were no essential differences between the parties when it came to defending Kosovo.
“We are in favor of protecting Kosovo, and I’m sure that we can only enter the EU together with Kosovo,” he concluded.
It would be funny if the new serbian governmen will still be formed by the two present DS and DSS parties. This would mean that these 2 parties are only playing childish games when calling for new elections.
I would rather see Nikolic and Kostunica form the new government. The reason after this is that I would like to see Serbia get isolated even more from the international community.
This might sound a bit bad but if serbs themselves want Serbia to be isolated, why wouldnt I want Serbia to be isolated too?
(Afrim Hoxha, 15 March 2008 10:54)
Yes, that should be the truth in future. It is time to go for communism parties. I hope Serbia finally wakes up from communism and "runs" step by step democracy
(freedream, 14 March 2008 18:54)
An interesting point, but one that can only be solved by the Serbian constitutional court. I can't see how DS leader is a public function as DS is not part of the state. It could be a professionaly duty, but maybe that implies a salary (which I assume Tadic does not receive from DS).
If interpreted in the way you suggest, it would turn the post into a very Irish-style president and I doubt either Tadic or Nikolic would want it.
However, until a court rules otherwise one has to assume Tadic has a role more like a French president (but with less power) and can be leader of his party.
(Bruce, 14 March 2008 18:23)
Can somebody help me here as I seem to be missing something. Let me explain.
Article 115 of the Serbian Constitution states:
"The President of the Republic may not perform another public function or professional duty."
Given that, is it appropriate for Boris Tadic to be acting in an overtly political manner. Is he speaking as President or as leader of DS. And is it allowed by the constitution for him to hold both positions?
(Tom O'Donoghue, 14 March 2008 16:35)
unfortunately despite we albanians cannot vote in serbian elections, we would have supported Tadic, however all minotities+moderated serbs 59,6% in serbia will be supporting Tadic, and by the way Kostunica is finished as a politican
(doni, 14 March 2008 15:47)
Smile what you neglected to say (and B92 as well) is that SRS / Nikolic has said that Kostunica won't be PM in their government either, so he won't be PM period. Nikolic was right to implicitly criticise the fact that we have been led without popular support for the last, god knows how many years.
I'm not at all sure that Kostunica is cool with this. After all he has grown to enjoy the trappings of rule - remember he said he would stand down after a year or so in October 2000.
(bganon, 14 March 2008 15:11)
We are in favor of PROTECTING Kosovo, and I’m sure that we can only enter the EU together with Kosovo,” he (Mr. Tadic) concluded.
Tadic confirms with this words, that he is not willing to change anything in Serbia. Why should anyone else do - ?
It will take time until (at least) August/September, 'til a new government may start to work for Serbia. The general situation will be much worse then - economically, socially, politically.
Tadic will block no other state for to join the EU but Serbia with his conclusions.
(rolerkoster, 14 March 2008 11:56)
Well this makes things far more interesting, as the last few elections have basically seen the same people return to their respective offices. By shifting support around, it seems this elections will be a vote between the DSS-SRS bloc, and the DS-G17+-minority parties.
Should be interesting as this is gearing up to be a definitive referrendum on EU integration. What could make it even more interesting is that if minority parties such as SDP and Vojvodina Hungarians throw their weight behind DS, we could see the formation of a new multiethnic political coaltion that brings thesse groups into further governing activity, rather than token representation.
(Mike, 14 March 2008 11:36)
Can somebody help me here as I seem to be missing something. Let me explain.
Article 115 of the Serbian Constitution states:
"The President of the Republic may not perform another public function or professional duty."
Given that, is it appropriate for Boris Tadic to be acting in an overtly political manner. Is he speaking as President or as leader of DS. And is it allowed by the constitution for him to hold both positions?
(Tom O'Donoghue, 14 March 2008 16:35)
Well this makes things far more interesting, as the last few elections have basically seen the same people return to their respective offices. By shifting support around, it seems this elections will be a vote between the DSS-SRS bloc, and the DS-G17+-minority parties.
Should be interesting as this is gearing up to be a definitive referrendum on EU integration. What could make it even more interesting is that if minority parties such as SDP and Vojvodina Hungarians throw their weight behind DS, we could see the formation of a new multiethnic political coaltion that brings thesse groups into further governing activity, rather than token representation.
(Mike, 14 March 2008 11:36)
unfortunately despite we albanians cannot vote in serbian elections, we would have supported Tadic, however all minotities+moderated serbs 59,6% in serbia will be supporting Tadic, and by the way Kostunica is finished as a politican
(doni, 14 March 2008 15:47)
Smile what you neglected to say (and B92 as well) is that SRS / Nikolic has said that Kostunica won't be PM in their government either, so he won't be PM period. Nikolic was right to implicitly criticise the fact that we have been led without popular support for the last, god knows how many years.
I'm not at all sure that Kostunica is cool with this. After all he has grown to enjoy the trappings of rule - remember he said he would stand down after a year or so in October 2000.
(bganon, 14 March 2008 15:11)
An interesting point, but one that can only be solved by the Serbian constitutional court. I can't see how DS leader is a public function as DS is not part of the state. It could be a professionaly duty, but maybe that implies a salary (which I assume Tadic does not receive from DS).
If interpreted in the way you suggest, it would turn the post into a very Irish-style president and I doubt either Tadic or Nikolic would want it.
However, until a court rules otherwise one has to assume Tadic has a role more like a French president (but with less power) and can be leader of his party.
(Bruce, 14 March 2008 18:23)
We are in favor of PROTECTING Kosovo, and I’m sure that we can only enter the EU together with Kosovo,” he (Mr. Tadic) concluded.
Tadic confirms with this words, that he is not willing to change anything in Serbia. Why should anyone else do - ?
It will take time until (at least) August/September, 'til a new government may start to work for Serbia. The general situation will be much worse then - economically, socially, politically.
Tadic will block no other state for to join the EU but Serbia with his conclusions.
(rolerkoster, 14 March 2008 11:56)
Yes, that should be the truth in future. It is time to go for communism parties. I hope Serbia finally wakes up from communism and "runs" step by step democracy
(freedream, 14 March 2008 18:54)
It would be funny if the new serbian governmen will still be formed by the two present DS and DSS parties. This would mean that these 2 parties are only playing childish games when calling for new elections.
I would rather see Nikolic and Kostunica form the new government. The reason after this is that I would like to see Serbia get isolated even more from the international community.
This might sound a bit bad but if serbs themselves want Serbia to be isolated, why wouldnt I want Serbia to be isolated too?
(Afrim Hoxha, 15 March 2008 10:54)
unfortunately despite we albanians cannot vote in serbian elections, we would have supported Tadic, however all minotities+moderated serbs 59,6% in serbia will be supporting Tadic, and by the way Kostunica is finished as a politican
(doni, 14 March 2008 15:47)
We are in favor of PROTECTING Kosovo, and I’m sure that we can only enter the EU together with Kosovo,” he (Mr. Tadic) concluded.
Tadic confirms with this words, that he is not willing to change anything in Serbia. Why should anyone else do - ?
It will take time until (at least) August/September, 'til a new government may start to work for Serbia. The general situation will be much worse then - economically, socially, politically.
Tadic will block no other state for to join the EU but Serbia with his conclusions.
(rolerkoster, 14 March 2008 11:56)
Smile what you neglected to say (and B92 as well) is that SRS / Nikolic has said that Kostunica won't be PM in their government either, so he won't be PM period. Nikolic was right to implicitly criticise the fact that we have been led without popular support for the last, god knows how many years.
I'm not at all sure that Kostunica is cool with this. After all he has grown to enjoy the trappings of rule - remember he said he would stand down after a year or so in October 2000.
(bganon, 14 March 2008 15:11)
Can somebody help me here as I seem to be missing something. Let me explain.
Article 115 of the Serbian Constitution states:
"The President of the Republic may not perform another public function or professional duty."
Given that, is it appropriate for Boris Tadic to be acting in an overtly political manner. Is he speaking as President or as leader of DS. And is it allowed by the constitution for him to hold both positions?
(Tom O'Donoghue, 14 March 2008 16:35)
Yes, that should be the truth in future. It is time to go for communism parties. I hope Serbia finally wakes up from communism and "runs" step by step democracy
(freedream, 14 March 2008 18:54)
It would be funny if the new serbian governmen will still be formed by the two present DS and DSS parties. This would mean that these 2 parties are only playing childish games when calling for new elections.
I would rather see Nikolic and Kostunica form the new government. The reason after this is that I would like to see Serbia get isolated even more from the international community.
This might sound a bit bad but if serbs themselves want Serbia to be isolated, why wouldnt I want Serbia to be isolated too?
(Afrim Hoxha, 15 March 2008 10:54)
An interesting point, but one that can only be solved by the Serbian constitutional court. I can't see how DS leader is a public function as DS is not part of the state. It could be a professionaly duty, but maybe that implies a salary (which I assume Tadic does not receive from DS).
If interpreted in the way you suggest, it would turn the post into a very Irish-style president and I doubt either Tadic or Nikolic would want it.
However, until a court rules otherwise one has to assume Tadic has a role more like a French president (but with less power) and can be leader of his party.
(Bruce, 14 March 2008 18:23)
Well this makes things far more interesting, as the last few elections have basically seen the same people return to their respective offices. By shifting support around, it seems this elections will be a vote between the DSS-SRS bloc, and the DS-G17+-minority parties.
Should be interesting as this is gearing up to be a definitive referrendum on EU integration. What could make it even more interesting is that if minority parties such as SDP and Vojvodina Hungarians throw their weight behind DS, we could see the formation of a new multiethnic political coaltion that brings thesse groups into further governing activity, rather than token representation.
(Mike, 14 March 2008 11:36)