Incumbent president Boris Tadic wins second round Serbian presidential elections
04 February 2008
According to the preliminary data of the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), pro-western incumbent president Boris Tadic of the Democratic Party (DS) was re-elected in the second round of the Serbian presidential ballot held on 3 February, with 50.5% of the votes. His opponent, nationalist Tomislav Nikolic of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), received 47.9% of the votes. Turnout was high for Serbia, at approximately 67.6%.
In the campaign, Tadic advocated EU integration for Serbia, and envisioned the country moving closer to Europe. Nicolic, on the other hand, advocated a stronger partnership with Russia, and ruled out the possibility of joining the EU when it accepts independence for Kosovo. Tadic also spoke out against independence for Kosovo, but maintained that this issue should be dealt with separate from the decision of joining the EU.
After the preliminary results were announced, Tadic gave a speech in which he thanked his supporters and said that “the victory of the idea of Serbia which conquers Europe with its potential success, faith and wit, has shown the country’s true colours to the world, and the power of its democracy.” Tadic furthermore congratulated Nikolic on a fair campaign.
Nikolic on his part congratulated Tadic on his victory, adding “I’m sorry that fear has prevailed, and that fear will continue to reign.” In addition he said that his Serbian Radical Party will remain the country’s biggest opposition to the government and the president, but that he will always support “those political structures that defend state interest and endeavour to preserve Kosovo within Serbia.”
