Knocked Out

02 June 2008

The classical KO in Vojvodina suffered by SRS (Serb Radical Party) and DSS (Democratic Party of Serbia) will have lasting and fundamental influence on the new rearrangement of Serbian politics. The pro-European trend expressed by the citizens has entered the irreversible phase of discontinuation with `old policies of isolation and self-sufficiency`. The result should, above all, make it easier for SPS (the Socialist Party) to enter coalition partnership with the Democratic Party of President Tadić (DS) in all levels of government.

The unanimous vote for Europe in Vojvodina brings a new, serious challenge in Serbian politics, demanding special responsibility from politicians that, lamentably, prefer to treat democracy as mathematical discipline, not as system of values.

Namely, if SRS, DSS and SPS form the anti-European Government, it will unavoidably enter a constant conflict with the pro-European institutions of the autonomous province of Vojvodina. Does anyone doubt that it would lead to new divisions in Serbian society? How long will it take for the conflict to get labeled `secessionism`? How long before the citizens of Vojvodina say: We have had it enough with Belgrade! We are going to Europe!

I will demonstrate `political naivet�` for a moment and will propose my view of responsible political actions at this moment: Vojislav Ko�tunica puts Serbia first and decides that DSS will not participate in any Government in this term. He stops negotiations with SRS and accepts DS`s offer to renew the coalition in Belgrade.

In addition to having direct effect on creation of stable government and seamless functioning of the state, Ko�tunica will save the cohesion of his own party and will enter the next Elections from completely new positions and clean slate, which could get him again the position of best coalition potential.

I know, it sounds incredible. It could work, though.