Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica in minority government with Radicals?
By Beta, Tanjug
Published: April 25, 2007

BELGRADE -- The DSS-NS coalition will likely be forced to form a minority government backed by the Radicals, Velimir Ilic has said.


Headed for a deal with Radicals? Velimir Ilic, Vojislav Kostunica (FoNet)


“The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and New Serbia (NS) will likely reach an agreement with the Serb Radical Party (SRS) on the formation of a minority government,” the capital investments minister and New Serbia leader told the Veèernje Novosti daily.

“Such a government would have the Radicals’ support in the Parliament,” he asserted adding that the deal would entail “Vojislav Kostunica retaining his position as the prime minister, with the Radical’s deputy president Tomislav Nikolic as the parliament speaker.”

“The government would be in office until the end of 2007, when elections on all levels will be held,” Ilic explained.

“Meanwhile, the Parliament led by Tomislav Nikolic would adopt election bills necessary for presidential and local elections,” Ilic told the newspaper, without specifying when the deal with the Radicals might be made.

When asked whether it meant that a government comprised of the so-called Democratic Bloc parties was no longer an option, Ilic replied that “the Democrats failed to realize that 5 to 6 percent advantage over the DSS-NS coalition did not give them the right to claim the entire government and all portfolios.”

According to the daily, SRS secretary general Aleksandar Vuèic, did not give a straightforward answer when asked about the possibility his party might form a minority government with the DSS-NS coalition.

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