Serbia's upcoming parliamentary election follows the dissolution of Parliament after the National Assembly could not decide how to deal with Kosovo's independence.

On March 13, 2008, Serbian President Boris Tadic dissolved the country’s Parliament and called for new elections to be held on May 11. The dissolution of Parliament was caused by divisiveness in Serbia’s National Assembly over how to deal with Kosovo’s February 17 declaration of independence.

Tadic’s Decision to Dissolve Parliament

President Tadic, in a prepared statement regarding his action said, “This is a new chance for us to reinforce the capacities for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity ... and to change things for the better.”

Tadic was also very clear about his intentions regarding Kosovo. “We are not going to relinquish Kosovo. We are going to utilize all of our diplomatic and political recourses in defense of this, but without violence. What’s important is to find a compromise. If the Albanians are going to get everything and the Serbians are going to lose everything, there will be a problem.”

Participating Parties, Coalitions and Movements

According to the Serbian Electoral Commission (RIK), the following is a complete list of political parties, coalitions and movements participating in the May election (includes the leader of each group, if known):

• Coalition for a European Serbia – Boris Tadic
• Liberal Democratic Party – Cedomir Jovanovic
• Democratic Party of Serbia-New Serbia Coalition – Vojislav Kostunica
• Serbian Radical Party – Vojislav Seselj
• Socialist Party of Serbia-Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Serbia Coalition
• Bosniak List for a European Sandzak–Sulejman Ugljanin
• Hungarian Coalition – Istvan Pastor
• Reformist Party – Aleksandar Visnjic
• If It Were Up to the Village–Populist Peasant Party – Marijan Risticevic
• Strength of Serbia Movement – Bogoljub Karic
• Civic Initiative of the Goranis
• United Vlachs of Serbia – Predrag Balasevic
• Vojvodina Party – Igor Kurjacki
• Roma for Roma Ticket – Milos Paunkovic
• Montenegrin Party – Nenad Stevovic
• Roma Union of Serbia - Rajko Duric
• Coalition of Albanians of the Presevo Valley
• League of the Backa Bunjevci – Mirko Bajic
• My Serbia Movement – Branislav Lecic
• People's Movement for Serbia — Milan Paroski
• Patriotic Party of the Diaspora – Zoran Milinkovic
• Roma Party – Srdan Sajn

Recent Poll Results

A mid-April poll conducted by Belgrade-based Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID) revealed the following results:

• Serbian Radical Party - 36%
• For a European Serbia - 33%
• Democratic Party of Serbia-New Serbia Coalition - 12%
• Liberal Democratic Party - 8%
• Socialist Party of Serbia-Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Serbia Coalition - 7%
• Minorities - 4%

Several polls indicate at least two-thirds of the 6,747,867 eligible Serbian voters plan to participate in the election.

Analysis and Kosovo’s Effect on the Election

Tadic narrowly defeated ultra-nationalist Tomislav Nikolic in Serbia’s January 2008 presidential election. Two days after Tadic took the oath of office, Kosovo declared its independence. Tadic is an unfortunate victim of timing, having no chance to avert Kosovo’s action, but it still happened under his presidency. The President’s supporters now fear the ultra-nationalistic Serbian Radical Party may win the election due to the timing of Kosovo’s declaration.

Kosovo has been a major concern in Serbia for many years. The region is considered to be the country’s ancestral homeland and few Serbians are willing to let it become a separate nation.

If the ultra-nationalists win the election, Serbia will move toward closer ties with Russia, and further away from current associations with the European Union and United States. No matter the outcome of the May election, Tadic will remain as President. However, if the opposition wins, he will have little power to block any actions made by the new Prime Minister and majority party.

References

“RIK confirms final ballot list.” B92. May 1, 2008.

“Serb PM: New Parliament Will Annul EU Deal.” Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. May 2, 2008.

“Serb Radicals Lead in Latest Poll.” Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. April 24, 2008.

“Serbian parliament dissolved, May election.” UPI. March 13, 2008.

Stojanovic, Dusan. “Milosevic loyalists could return to power in Serbia.” Associated Press. May 4, 2008.