This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7286881.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Serbia set to call fresh election | Serbia set to call fresh election |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Serbian government is due to hold a special session at which the president will be formally asked to dissolve parliament and call an early election. | The Serbian government is due to hold a special session at which the president will be formally asked to dissolve parliament and call an early election. |
| It comes after Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica announced the collapse of his coalition government at the weekend. | |
| He failed to get his cabinet to reject closer EU ties in protest at Kosovo's declaration of independence last month. | He failed to get his cabinet to reject closer EU ties in protest at Kosovo's declaration of independence last month. |
| The EU's Slovenian presidency said on Monday that it hoped pro-EU parties would win the coming election. | |
| Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, said: "To be quite frank, I don't think there is any other possibility for our Serbian friends than the European Union. Where should they go?" | |
| Mr Kostunica's coalition partners, the Democrats of President Boris Tadic, argue in favour of closer EU ties. | Mr Kostunica's coalition partners, the Democrats of President Boris Tadic, argue in favour of closer EU ties. |
| This is despite the fact that major EU countries have recognised Kosovo after its unilateral declaration of independence on 17 February. | This is despite the fact that major EU countries have recognised Kosovo after its unilateral declaration of independence on 17 February. |
| Serbia - and its ally Russia - say they will never accept it. | Serbia - and its ally Russia - say they will never accept it. |
| 'Referendum' | 'Referendum' |
| Last week, Mr Kostunica, a nationalist, called the special meeting to propose that parliament be dissolved and snap elections called. | Last week, Mr Kostunica, a nationalist, called the special meeting to propose that parliament be dissolved and snap elections called. |
| The government is expected to approve that proposal, which will then be put forward to President Tadic, who has the formal power to order an early general election - likely to be held in May. | The government is expected to approve that proposal, which will then be put forward to President Tadic, who has the formal power to order an early general election - likely to be held in May. |
| He has said he will order an election, once formally requested. | He has said he will order an election, once formally requested. |
| Serbia's coalition partners disagree over the best strategy for the future - and whether the central issue is ties with the EU, or Kosovo's independence. | Serbia's coalition partners disagree over the best strategy for the future - and whether the central issue is ties with the EU, or Kosovo's independence. |
| Mr Kostunica, who leads the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), has said that recognition of Kosovo by EU states is illegal. | Mr Kostunica, who leads the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), has said that recognition of Kosovo by EU states is illegal. |
| "All parties want Serbia to join the EU, but the question is how - with or without Kosovo," he said on Saturday. | "All parties want Serbia to join the EU, but the question is how - with or without Kosovo," he said on Saturday. |
| President Tadic says Belgrade will only be able to defend its right to Kosovo if it joins the EU. | President Tadic says Belgrade will only be able to defend its right to Kosovo if it joins the EU. |
| He says the main difference between himself and his prime minister is not on Kosovo but Serbia's "European and economic outlook". | He says the main difference between himself and his prime minister is not on Kosovo but Serbia's "European and economic outlook". |
| "The vote will be a referendum on Serbia's European perspective - or on its isolation," Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac, vice-president of Mr Tadic's party, was quoted as saying by AP last week. | "The vote will be a referendum on Serbia's European perspective - or on its isolation," Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac, vice-president of Mr Tadic's party, was quoted as saying by AP last week. |
| Kosovo's declaration of independence came nearly a decade after Nato forces expelled Serbian forces from the majority ethnic Albanian territory. | Kosovo's declaration of independence came nearly a decade after Nato forces expelled Serbian forces from the majority ethnic Albanian territory. |