Serbs Try Once again to Elect New President

13/06/2004| IslamWeb

Serbia is making another attempt to lift itself out of political quagmire. After a year and half without an elected head of state, the country is hoping this presidential election will succeed. Three previous polls were declared invalid because of a low turnout. Fifteen candidates are taking part in today's vote, though only four are seen as serious contenders. Pro-western reformer Boris Tadic is leading the Democratic party into the vote. His chief rival and frontrunner in the election is Tomislav Nikolic of the Radical party, a hardline nationalist group. Western powers fear he will slow down cooperation with The Hague war crimes tribunal and turn back the clock on economic reforms. The radical party is still formally led by Vojislav Seselj, who is awaiting trial in The Hague. He has smuggled election statements from his cell in defiance of the tribunal's rules. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Ultra-nationalist presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolic of SRS-Serbian Radical Party waves during a final pre-election rally, in this June 9, 2004 file photo in Belgrade, Serbia. (AP)