http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,802128,00.html
Apathy clouds Serbian election
Nick Thorpe in Belgrade
Tuesday October 1, 2002
The Guardian
[A] more likely outcome is that the turnout will not
reach the necessary 50%, making the whole election
invalid.
The moderate nationalist Vojislav Kostunica and the western-backed
economist Miroljub Labus will face each other in a run-off for the
Serbian presidency later this month, but it is feared that apathy could
invalidate the election and plunge the country into a constitutional
crisis.
Mr Kostunica, the Yugoslav president, topped Sunday's
first round of voting with 31%, against 28% for Mr
Labus, who has the backing of Mr Kostunica's bitter
rival, the Serbian prime minister Zoran Djindjic.
The ultra-nationalist Vojislav Seselj - endorsed by
Slobodan Milosevic from his prison cell at the war
crimes tribunal in the Hague - finished an
unexpectedly strong third with 23%.
He is eliminated from the run-off on October 13 and
most of his support is expected to transfer to Mr
Kostunica, making him the clear favourite.
But a more likely outcome is that the turnout will not
reach the necessary 50%, making the whole election
invalid.
That would bring about a constitutional crisis, delay
crucial reforms, and stall further cooperation with
the Hague tribunal.
The turnout on Sunday was 55%, and analysts say the
figure for the run-off may be lower, since some who
voted for minor candidates will decide to stay at
home: the turnout is traditionally lower in the second
round.
Mr Kostunica and Mr Labus were both part of the DOS
coalition which swept Mr Milosevic from power two
years ago. But they fell out over the pace of reform
and Mr Kostunica's nationalist and Mr Labus's European priorities.
On Sunday Mr Kostunica derided his rival's "uncritical acceptance of ...
international financial institutions, regardless of the social situation
in the country, and the non-existent legal framework".
Mr Labus said the result was a "great personal
success" and an endorsement of the tough economic
reforms he had begun as deputy prime minister.
Mr Kostunica has promised to topple Mr Djindjic's
government if he wins the presidency, now a figurehead
position but one that is likely to become more
influential as part of the constitutional changes that
will eliminate his current job as Yugoslav president.
Serbian News Network - SNN
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.antic.org/
