Serbian pro-Western President Boris Tadic said Wednesday he is resigning, paving the way for an early presidential election where he will face a strong challenge from a nationalist candidate. Serbia’s parliament speaker is expected to call the vote for May 6, the same day when parliamentary and local elections are already scheduled. In the presidential vote, Tadic will be challenged by nationalist candidate Tomislav Nikolic who has received tacit support from Russia. Several other candidates are also expected to run, but without real chances of winning.
Tadic, who has worked hard to bring Serbia closer to the European Union, said the challenge will be tough, and called on voters to choose which way they want the country to go. … Tadic’s ruling democrats are blamed for the country’s deep economic and social problems. The nationalists also claim Tadic is willing to sell off Serbia’s cherished former province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, at the expense of distant and uncertain EU membership. “I will never recognize Kosovo,” Tadic said while announcing his resignation.
Full Article: Serbian President Boris Tadic resigns – seattlepi.com.