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Serbia election seen as vote on EU membership Serbia election seen as vote on EU membership
(about 11 hours later)
Polls have opened in Serbia in a parliamentary election seen as a de facto referendum on whether the country should seek EU membership.Polls have opened in Serbia in a parliamentary election seen as a de facto referendum on whether the country should seek EU membership.
Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic called the vote two years early seeking a clear mandate to continue with reforms before the country could join the EU. Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic called the vote two years early, seeking a clear mandate to continue with reforms required for eventual EU membership.
Polls have suggested a win for his Progressive Party.Polls have suggested a win for his Progressive Party.
But discontent with Mr Vucic's pro-EU stance looks set to bring ultra-nationalists back into parliament.But discontent with Mr Vucic's pro-EU stance looks set to bring ultra-nationalists back into parliament.
They oppose membership to the European bloc and favour closer ties with Russia.They oppose membership to the European bloc and favour closer ties with Russia.
These include Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj, whose popularity has been boosted by his recent acquittal of crimes against humanity at the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.These include Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj, whose popularity has been boosted by his recent acquittal of crimes against humanity at the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
This is Serbia's third parliamentary election in less than four years. Some 6.7 million people are eligible to vote. Speaking after casting his ballot in a suburb of the capital Belgrade, Mr Vucic said he would not compromise with right-wing parties and hoped that voters would choose a "European path".
"I'm almost certain that we'll carry on our EU integration process," he said.
Also voting in Belgrade, retired Jelica Nikolic, 68, said she and her husband were acting more out of duty than conviction.
"We have elections too often," she said.
In the south-western city of Novi Pazar, voter Edib Mahmutovic, 40, hoped the winner would create new jobs "that enable us to stay here and not have to look for a better life elsewhere in Europe".
This is Serbia's third parliamentary election in less than four years.
Voting continues until 18:00 GMT and partial results are likely to come a few hours after that. There are no exit polls.Voting continues until 18:00 GMT and partial results are likely to come a few hours after that. There are no exit polls.
Opinion polls have indicated an absolute majority for Mr Vucic in parliament.
"We want to complete the process of privatisation, speed up (private) investments and above all to spur the entrepreneurial spirit of the people," Mr Vucic told Reuters news agency.
The key playersThe key players
Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), centre-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by Aleksandar Vucic, centre-right
Founded in 2008, it has been in power since 2012. It won an overall majority two years ago, an unprecedented event in Serbia's short democratic history. It wants to pursue EU membership while maintaining good relations with Russia.Founded in 2008, it has been in power since 2012. It won an overall majority two years ago, an unprecedented event in Serbia's short democratic history. It wants to pursue EU membership while maintaining good relations with Russia.
Ivica Dacic, Socialist Party of Servia (SPS), left Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), led by Ivica Dacic, left
Founded in 1990 by Serbia's late strongman Slobodan Milosevic. Its main goals are achieving more social justice, social welfare and finding a political solution for Kosovo. But it has supported austerity policies implemented by its coalition partner SNS.Founded in 1990 by Serbia's late strongman Slobodan Milosevic. Its main goals are achieving more social justice, social welfare and finding a political solution for Kosovo. But it has supported austerity policies implemented by its coalition partner SNS.
Vojislav Seselj, Serbian Radical Party (SRS), ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS), led by Vojislav Seselj, ultra-nationalist
Founded in 1991, promoted since its early days the union of Serbia and parts of Bosnia and Croatia where Serbs formed the majority. It opposes EU membership and supports a closer alliance with Russia.Founded in 1991, promoted since its early days the union of Serbia and parts of Bosnia and Croatia where Serbs formed the majority. It opposes EU membership and supports a closer alliance with Russia.
Sources: AP, ReutersSources: AP, Reuters
Opinion polls have indicated an absolute majority for Mr Vucic in parliament.
The ultra-nationalists, however, could complicate Serbia's EU membership talks by resisting concessions, such as ending the claim to sovereignty over Kosovo.The ultra-nationalists, however, could complicate Serbia's EU membership talks by resisting concessions, such as ending the claim to sovereignty over Kosovo.
Critics of Mr Vucic say his government has become increasingly autocratic, with some calling him a "dictator".Critics of Mr Vucic say his government has become increasingly autocratic, with some calling him a "dictator".
Serbia has signed a €1.2bn ($1.35bn; £940m) loan with the International Monetary Fund. In return, it needs to implement austerity measures demanded by the group. Serbia has signed a €1.2bn ($1.35bn; £940m) loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In return, it needs to implement austerity measures demanded by the group.
The country's economy is in bad shape and unemployment is at around 18%. The Serbian economy is in bad shape, and unemployment is at around 18%.