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Serbs voting for new parliament | Serbs voting for new parliament |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Serbs are voting in the country's first general election since its union with Montenegro was dissolved last year. | Serbs are voting in the country's first general election since its union with Montenegro was dissolved last year. |
About 6.5m people can vote and the basic choice is between the hardline nationalists and parties that are more pro-European and pro-reform. | About 6.5m people can vote and the basic choice is between the hardline nationalists and parties that are more pro-European and pro-reform. |
As he voted, PM Vojislav Kostunica said the best way for a better life was for Serbia to continue on its current path. | As he voted, PM Vojislav Kostunica said the best way for a better life was for Serbia to continue on its current path. |
One difficult issue remains Kosovo, with the UN expected to rule on the future of the province this year. | One difficult issue remains Kosovo, with the UN expected to rule on the future of the province this year. |
More than 30% of voters had turned out in the first seven hours, Serbia's Election Commission said. | |
Polling stations will remain open until 2000 (1900 GMT). | |
Initial results are expected late on Sunday evening. | |
The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says the campaign has been largely devoid of the issues that have dominated in the past, such as co-operation with The Hague war crimes tribunal and Kosovo. | The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says the campaign has been largely devoid of the issues that have dominated in the past, such as co-operation with The Hague war crimes tribunal and Kosovo. |
Instead other concerns such as the economy, privatisation, European integration and corruption have taken centre stage. | Instead other concerns such as the economy, privatisation, European integration and corruption have taken centre stage. |
Coalition expected | Coalition expected |
The main choice is between nationalists and pro-reform partiesVoting is expected to be split between President Boris Tadic's pro-European Democratic Party (DS), conservative Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and war crimes suspect Vojislav Seselj's nationalist SRS. | The main choice is between nationalists and pro-reform partiesVoting is expected to be split between President Boris Tadic's pro-European Democratic Party (DS), conservative Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and war crimes suspect Vojislav Seselj's nationalist SRS. |
Opinion polls have indicated that no party will win a majority outright but the president and prime minister are expected to form a coalition. | Opinion polls have indicated that no party will win a majority outright but the president and prime minister are expected to form a coalition. |
The disputed province of Kosovo will be the first priority for any incoming government, our correspondent says. | The disputed province of Kosovo will be the first priority for any incoming government, our correspondent says. |
The UN's chief envoy for the province is due to give his recommendations for its future soon after the election. | The UN's chief envoy for the province is due to give his recommendations for its future soon after the election. |