Serbia
parliamentary elections
11/05/2008
Sources: SETimes, Centre for Free Elections and Democracy
Election Summary
Voters headed to the polls on May 11th to vote in the second parliamentary elections in Serbia in less than 18 months. The elections were called after the government collapsed on March 8th due to discord between Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and President Boris Tadic's Democratic Party (DS) over Kosovo and further European integration.
Kostunica and his Democratic Party of Serbia (DPS) believe the country should not join the EU until Union members recognise Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo. Pristina's independence has so far been recognised by 20 of the 27 EU members. Tadic's party has a pro-European base.
The DS, who advocate quick EU integration, won 103 of the 250 seats in parliament, thus ending the long-standing domination of the far-right Serbian Radical Party, which will hold 77 seats.
The DSS took 30 seats, whereas the Socialist Party of Serbia will have 20. The Liberal Democratic Party will hold 13 seats, while parties representing ethnic minorities will have up to ten seats. Voter turnout was about 61%.