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Serbian government calls for poll Serbian government calls for poll
(40 minutes later)
The Serbian government has called on President Boris Tadic to dissolve parliament and hold an early election. The Serbian government has urged President Boris Tadic to dissolve parliament and hold an early election.
It comes after Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica announced the collapse of his coalition government at the weekend. The call follows the collapse of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's governing coalition at the weekend.
Ministers had failed to agree whether to suspend ties with the EU in protest at some EU countries' recognition of Kosovan independence. Ministers failed to agree on whether to suspend ties with the European Union, in protest at recognition of Kosovan independence by some EU members.
Mr Tadic, whose party is pushing for EU membership, has indicated he will grant the request for a snap poll. Mr Tadic, whose party is pushing for EU membership, has indicated he will grant the request for a snap election.
The EU's Slovenian presidency said on Monday that it hoped pro-EU parties would win the coming election.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?" Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said: "I don't think there is any other possibility for our Serbian friends than the European Union."
A majority of EU countries have recognised Kosovo after its unilateral declaration of independence on 17 February. Most EU countries 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' 'No unity'
Last week, Mr Kostunica, a nationalist, called a special meeting to propose that parliament be dissolved and snap elections called.Last week, Mr Kostunica, a nationalist, called a special meeting to propose that parliament be dissolved and snap elections called.
At that meeting, on Monday, the government approved the proposal, which will now be put forward to President Tadic, who has the formal power to order an early general election. At that meeting, on Monday, the government approved the proposal.
He has said he will grant the request, and is expected to make a formal announcement on Monday or Tuesday. "It has been established that the government no longer has united and joint policies," the government said in a statement.
The proposal will now be put forward to President Tadic, who has the formal power to order an early general election.
He is expected to make a formal announcement on Monday or Tuesday.
The fresh ballot, which is likely to be held in May, is seen as a way out of Serbia's deepening political crisis, says the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade.The fresh ballot, which is likely to be held in May, is seen as a way out of Serbia's deepening political crisis, says the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade.
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 - 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. 'Referendum'
Mr Kostunica, who leads the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), has said recognition of Kosovo by EU states is illegal.
Serbian sentiment over the loss of Kosovo remains volatile
"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.