Presidential elections in Serbia

The close results in the first round of voting shows that a majority of Serbs want both EU membership and Kosovo, says Frank Herold. "But the country will have to decide what is more important: the attempt to defend something that is irretrievably lost, or the chance to benefit in the future. Serbia has stood at this crossroads more than once – and too often chosen the wrong direction. … If the offer of the EU turns out to be not enough, if the majority of Serbs also choose the radical nationalists in the decisive election round, it would also be a setback for Europe. But first and foremost it would be a setback for Serbs themselves. Because they no longer can prevent the secession of Kosovo, and the approach to Europe would be blocked for the foreseeable future."

» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Domestic Policy, » Europe, » Serbia
All available articles from » Frank Herold

» To the complete press review of Monday, January 21, 2008