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PENPIX-Main figures in Serbia May 11 general election
08 May 2008 12:32:06 GMT
 Source: Reuters
May 8 (Reuters) - Serbs go to the polls on May 11 for their most crucial election in the post-Milosevic era, with every sign that divisions over the country's future course are deepening in the dispute between pro- and anti- Western camps.

Here are brief portraits of the main figures in the campaign:

TOMISLAV NIKOLIC, 56, Radical Party

Orientation: nationalist, populist, eurosceptic

Biography: Nikolic is seen as the main driver behind the Radicals' shift from an ultranationalist party led by a war crimes suspect to a populist-national party equally focused on fighting poverty, corruption and the secession of Kosovo. He says Serbia should not pursue EU membership at all costs, especially not by letting Kosovo go. His frank manner appeals to many conservatives, and he won 48.8 percent of the vote in the presidential election in February.

Promises: keep Kosovo within Serbia but without going to war; fight crime, corruption; promote employment through state projects, implement people-friendly economic growth strategies.

Quote: "(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."

Slogan: "Forward, Serbia!"

Latest poll figures: 33.2 percent

BORIS TADIC, 50, Democratic Party

Orientation: centre right, pro-Western

Biography: As president of Serbia, the leader of the Democrats is not a candidate for prime minister, but has led his party's campaign in the absence of an equally popular successor. Having entered politics in the 1990s as an activist against late autocrat Slobodan Milosevic, he won his second term as president in February by consolidating the liberal camp and taking 51 percent of the vote.

Promises: moving towards the European Union while fighting the secession of Kosovo; attracting investment, creating jobs, improving healthcare and education.

Quote: "Kosovo cannot be saved by paralysing Serbia, but only by decisively moving forward. Some people say we should not speak with countries that have recognised Kosovo's independence until they take back their decision. I say only if we head towards the EU can we deal with that problem and also attract foreign investment."

Slogan: "For a European Serbia"

Recent poll figures: 31.5 percent

VOJISLAV KOSTUNICA, 64, Democratic Party of Serbia

Orientation: nationalist, populist

Biography: Kostunica was a little-known lawyer until 2000 when he beat Milosevic in presidential elections as candidate of a united reformist bloc. He is running for a third tern as PM, having headed the two previous coalition governments. Critics say he has lost his reformist credentials through his relentless anti-Western rhetoric over the secession of Kosovo.

Promises: Fight Kosovo's secession, forge close ties with Russia to gain political leverage and cheap energy, safeguard social benefits, keep state stakes in public companies instead of selling them outright.

Quote: "The primary measure of power for any state is its integrity. Only a Serbia that is strong in that sense can defend not only Kosovo but also other parts of our territory. If an exception were made for Kosovo, other parts of Serbia would be put in question as well."

Slogan: "Uphold Serbia!"

Recent poll figures: 13.8 percent




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A Swedish soldier who is part of the NATO peacekeeping operation in Kosovo stands guard near posters of Serb political parties in Gracanica May 7, 2008. Gracanica is a Serb enclave ...


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