The European Union has quarreled the Serbs

President Tadic may be left without a prime minister

The signing of a “political agreement” between the European Union and Serbia, scheduled for today in Brussels, has been postponed “indefinitely.” This was stated yesterday by European Commissioner for EU Enlargement Olli Rehn. The reason was the aggravation of the situation in Serbia. The day before, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica demanded that newly elected President Boris Tadic not sign an agreement with the European Union, since Brussels supports the independence of Kosovo. Otherwise, the head of government is ready to resign. This may require holding early parliamentary elections in Serbia following the just held presidential elections.

The Serbian delegation was supposed to sign a “transitional” agreement on free trade and visa liberalization with the European Union. The EU Council adopted a corresponding decision on January 28, a few days before the second round of the presidential elections in Serbia. Brussels sought in this way to support the pro-Western candidate, the current head of state Boris Tadic, in his fight against the Eurosceptic radical Tomislav Nikolic.

Tadic won the elections,but contradictions between Belgrade and the European Union remained . The head of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DPS), Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, has finally moved into the camp of those opposed to rapprochement with Brussels. Even during the election campaign, he criticized Tadic for his lack of a clear position on this issue and even deprived him of official support from his party.

After summing up the results of the presidential elections, Kostunica went on the attack. He demanded an extraordinary meeting of the assembly (parliament) to discuss relations with the European Union. He was immediately supported by opposition radicals and socialists.

The fact is that while the votes were being counted in Serbia, on February 4 the European Union made a preliminary decision to send its civilian police mission to Kosovo. Europeans believe that it can replace the UN mission in the region. All Serbian politicians oppose such a step, considering it as de facto recognition of the independence of the Serbian region of Kosovo.

Here Tadic and Kostunica are united. However, they differ on details. Boris Tadic advocates deepening relations with the EU, regardless of how the situation around Kosovo develops. Vojislav Kostunica is convinced that Kosovo is more important for Serbia than agreements with Brussels. He intends to raise this issue not only in parliament, but also at the next government meeting. As independent Serbian political scientist Jovo Bakic told Vremya Novostey, “the influence of Vojislav Kostunica in today’s Serbia should not be overestimated.” He recalled that his DPS refused to support Tadic before the second round, despite the coalition agreement between them.

The danger of new upheavals in Serbia is real. Following the resignation of the head of the cabinet, an anti-presidential majority consisting of the DPS, radicals and socialists may form in the assembly. And there it is not far before the dissolution of parliament and Serbia’s entry into a new election race.

Petr ISKENDEROV