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Nationalists 'lead Serbia poll' Nationalists 'lead Serbia poll'
(about 1 hour later)
The nationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS) has a clear lead in the country's elections, early projections suggest.The nationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS) has a clear lead in the country's elections, early projections suggest.
The Centre for Free Elections and Democracy, a monitoring body, said the radicals had taken 28.5% of the vote.The Centre for Free Elections and Democracy, a monitoring body, said the radicals had taken 28.5% of the vote.
The SRS candidate for prime minister, Tomislav Nikolic, urged the government to resign - but it is unclear whether he can form a governing coalition.The SRS candidate for prime minister, Tomislav Nikolic, urged the government to resign - but it is unclear whether he can form a governing coalition.
The pro-reform Democratic Party (DS) and Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) were credited with 22% and 17%.The pro-reform Democratic Party (DS) and Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) were credited with 22% and 17%.
Because no one party has got a clear majority of the vote, a coalition will have to be formed.Because no one party has got a clear majority of the vote, a coalition will have to be formed.
Serbia's electoral commission said turnout was about 62% of the 6.6 million eligible voters.Serbia's electoral commission said turnout was about 62% of the 6.6 million eligible voters.
The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says the relatively high turnout reflects the close contest between Serb nationalists and the more pro-European parties. The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says a period of negotiations between the political parties over who will form a government will follow.
'Vicious campaign''Vicious campaign'
After the first projections were announced, Mr Nikolic said: "We have won as we had expected."After the first projections were announced, Mr Nikolic said: "We have won as we had expected."
The question who is going with whom is inappropriate at this moment Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav KostunicaThe question who is going with whom is inappropriate at this moment Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica
"Despite running against the parties led by the prime minister and the president (Boris Tadic) and their vicious campaigns against us, we proved our strength," Mr Nikolic said."Despite running against the parties led by the prime minister and the president (Boris Tadic) and their vicious campaigns against us, we proved our strength," Mr Nikolic said.
He ruled out a coalition with the governing DS and DSS but on the subject of coalitions with other parties he said: "Let's wait and see the final results. Things are clearer after a night's sleep."He ruled out a coalition with the governing DS and DSS but on the subject of coalitions with other parties he said: "Let's wait and see the final results. Things are clearer after a night's sleep."
His party campaigned on the fight against corruption and keeping Kosovo within Serbia.
The SRS ruled the country under late leader Slobodan Milosevic during the 1990s.The SRS ruled the country under late leader Slobodan Milosevic during the 1990s.
Possible kingmaker
Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who heads the conservative DSS, brushed away speculation on who will form a coalition with whom.Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who heads the conservative DSS, brushed away speculation on who will form a coalition with whom.
"The question who is going with whom is inappropriate at this moment," he said."The question who is going with whom is inappropriate at this moment," he said.
President Tadic "will have to find a man who will be able to get a majority" in the parliament, he added.President Tadic "will have to find a man who will be able to get a majority" in the parliament, he added.
Mr Kostunica had urged citizens to vote - it was, he said, the best way to keep the country on a safe and stable path. Mr Kostunica could end up playing kingmaker, our correspondent says, by striking a deal to remain prime minister with other parties.
Mr Tadic, whose Democratic Party is challenging the prime minister, said he hoped the outcome would produce a government capable of major reforms Mr Tadic, whose Democratic Party is challenging the prime minister, said he hoped the outcome would produce a government capable of major reforms.
The poll was overshadowed by the issued of Kosovo, with the UN expected to rule on the future of the province this year. Correspondents say the main issues facing the next government are:
It was the country's first general election since its union with Montenegro was dissolved last year.
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  • The economy - growth has been solid recently but unemployment is still high and there are concerns about corruption
  • EU membership - talks have stalled over the continuing failure of Serbian authorities to capture war crimes suspects
  • Kosovo - the mostly-ethnic Albanian region is legally a province of Serbia but is under UN administration.
    • The UN's chief envoy for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, is to present his proposal for the future status of Kosovo soon after the election.
    He is expected to recommend some form of independence, something the SRS vehemently opposes.
    The other main parties have proposed wide autonomy for Kosovo within Serbia.
    This has been the country's first general election since its union with Montenegro was dissolved last year.