Boris Tadic wins Serbia's presidential election

Even after pro-European Tadic's electoral victory, Serbia's path to Europe will not be simple, warns Norbert Mappes-Niediek. "Boris Tadic, the radiant winner, looks strong now. But he isn't: According to the constitution, the president has little power. In reality, the strong man is still Vojislav Kostunica, head of government and a master of the tough back and forth. There is already talk in Belgrade of new parliamentary elections which might permit the Tadic democrats to translate their close victory into a better distribution of seats. But Kostunica could surf on the wave of outrage which will inevitably rise when the states of the European Union recognise Kosovo. Whatever the result of the showdown: Both sides will continue to block each other."

» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Domestic Policy, » Serbia
All available articles from » Norbert Mappes-Niediek

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, February 5, 2008