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Hardliner set for Serbia poll win Hardliner set for Serbia poll win
(about 6 hours later)
Hardline nationalist Tomislav Nikolic has won the first round of Serbian presidential elections, but will face a run-off poll, partial results suggest.Hardline nationalist Tomislav Nikolic has won the first round of Serbian presidential elections, but will face a run-off poll, partial results suggest.
Mr Nikolic appeared to have won about 39% while his rival, current President Boris Tadic, had 35%, polling officials and independent monitors said. Mr Nikolic, who leans towards Russia, appeared to have won about 39%, while the more pro-EU President, Boris Tadic, had 35%, polling officials said.
Mr Nikolic hailed the "extraordinary turn-out" of more than 60%, and said his party "could not be stopped". Mr Nikolic said his party could not be stopped. Mr Tadic said he was certain of victory in the 3 Feb run-off.
Mr Tadic said he was "convinced of victory" in the 3 February run-off. The poll is seen as key for Serbia's future, with tensions high over Kosovo.
To be become president, the winner must gain more than 50% of the vote. Posters are already being put up in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, in the campaign for the next round, after it became clear that neither candidate had achieved the 50% necessary to win outright in the first round.
The election comes at a crucial time, with tensions rising over the future of Serbia's disputed province of Kosovo. Zoran Lucic, an independent election monitor, said he expected the second round to be "extremely tight".
'Road to victory''Road to victory'
Mr Nikolic hailed his campaign's success: Mr Nikolic hailed his campaign's success and the "extraordinary turn-out" of more than 60%.
Kosovo issue hangs over voteQ&A: Serbian electionMark Mardell's blog "Citizens have responded to their wish for change. We opened a road to victory in the run-off. We have never been closer to changes. I want to unite Serbia," he said.Kosovo issue hangs over voteQ&A: Serbian electionMark Mardell's blog "Citizens have responded to their wish for change. We opened a road to victory in the run-off. We have never been closer to changes. I want to unite Serbia," he said.
"It is with great deal of optimism that I am looking forward to that second round," his challenger Mr Tadic said. "It is with great deal of optimism that I am looking forward to that second round," his challenger, Mr Tadic, said.
He urged Serbians to "turn out to vote in the elections again, that those who procrastinated recently... take part in these elections and show that Serbia absolutely does not give up its European path."He urged Serbians to "turn out to vote in the elections again, that those who procrastinated recently... take part in these elections and show that Serbia absolutely does not give up its European path."
Sunday's results were released after 30% of the votes had been counted - final official results are expected on Monday morning.
Kosovo debateKosovo debate
There was a lot of excitement at the headquarters of Mr Nikolic's Serbian Radicals, the country's largest political party, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Belgrade. There was a lot of excitement at the headquarters of Mr Nikolic's Serbian Radicals, the country's largest political party, as the early results came in, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Belgrade.
Mr Tadic says EU membership will mean a better life for SerbiansPlates of meat and glasses of brandy appeared in the corridors as news spread that Mr Nikolic was four or five points ahead.Mr Tadic says EU membership will mean a better life for SerbiansPlates of meat and glasses of brandy appeared in the corridors as news spread that Mr Nikolic was four or five points ahead.
Our correspondent says it appears that the Serbian Radicals have overturned analysts' previously held view that they would struggle to extend their support beyond an existing hard core of voters.Our correspondent says it appears that the Serbian Radicals have overturned analysts' previously held view that they would struggle to extend their support beyond an existing hard core of voters.
The high turn-out was an indication that Serbs saw it as a very important election, he adds. But he adds that the Radicals have been beaten before in a run-off after leading in the first round.
Symbolism
The campaign has been dominated by the issues of Kosovo, the economy and closers ties with the European Union.The campaign has been dominated by the issues of Kosovo, the economy and closers ties with the European Union.
Mr Nikolic favours eventual membership of the EU but says friendship with Serbia's fellow Orthodox Slavs in Russia is more important.Mr Nikolic favours eventual membership of the EU but says friendship with Serbia's fellow Orthodox Slavs in Russia is more important.
Symbolism
The post of president is largely ceremonial, but carries strong symbolic influence. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.The post of president is largely ceremonial, but carries strong symbolic influence. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't have much faith in elections in that region Albert Klein, Almere, Netherlands Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I don't have much faith in elections in that region Albert Klein, Almere, Netherlands Send us your comments
This could be critical in the coming weeks and months, when ethnic Albanians in the UN-administered province of Kosovo are expected to declare independence, our correspondent says.This could be critical in the coming weeks and months, when ethnic Albanians in the UN-administered province of Kosovo are expected to declare independence, our correspondent says.
Both Mr Tadic and Mr Nikolic are strongly opposed to this.Both Mr Tadic and Mr Nikolic are strongly opposed to this.
But Mr Nikolic has projected a more hardline stance on ties with the EU if the bloc recognises Kosovan independence.But Mr Nikolic has projected a more hardline stance on ties with the EU if the bloc recognises Kosovan independence.
His campaign has benefited from growing frustration at Western backing for Kosovo independence, as well as at the pace of Western-style reforms. On 11 January, Serbia's election commission said it would bar US and British observers over their support for Kosovan independence.His campaign has benefited from growing frustration at Western backing for Kosovo independence, as well as at the pace of Western-style reforms. On 11 January, Serbia's election commission said it would bar US and British observers over their support for Kosovan independence.
Over 3,000 monitors from Serbia's nongovernmental Center For Free Elections and Democracy (CESID) watched the poll.Over 3,000 monitors from Serbia's nongovernmental Center For Free Elections and Democracy (CESID) watched the poll.