Serbia calls early general election
Serbia, politically paralysed three years after ousting Slobodan Milosevic, is to hold early general elections on December 28.
The pro-democracy coalition that came to power in 2000 has nearly unravelled, forcing Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic to agree to call elections for parliament a year ahead of schedule.
The decision was officially announced by parliamentary speaker and acting president, Natasa Micic, who also dissolved the existing, 250-seat assembly.
“For the work ahead, we need a stable Serbia. Unfortunately, we do not have that at the moment,” Micic said, expressing hope that the vote will “help restore wisdom and harmony.”
Zivkovic’s Cabinet has struggled against dwindling support in the parliament, where one-time allies have turned against the government, teaming up with ultranationalists, conservatives and Milosevic’s Socialists in a bid to unseat the government.
Zivkovic finally agreed to risk elections after his opponents threatened to hold a vote of confidence on the government.
Over the past weeks of parliamentary debate, the opposition has accused the government of incompetence and rampant corruption.
Zivkovic conceded today that his government had become paralysed by the allegations and political fighting, leaving it unable to revive the economy devastated by Milosevic’s long and ruinous rule.
“We can no longer continue work on important reforms,” he said.
“This government has made its task to bring democracy to the country and ... seeks renewed confidence from citizens at the polls,” Zivkovic said.
