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Serbian reformers claim victory Serbian reformers claim victory
(about 1 hour later)
Serbian President Boris Tadic has claimed victory in the country's parliamentary elections.Serbian President Boris Tadic has claimed victory in the country's parliamentary elections.
Unofficial results suggested a big lead for his pro-Western alliance over ultra-nationalist opponents.Unofficial results suggested a big lead for his pro-Western alliance over ultra-nationalist opponents.
Mr Tadic said Serbs had chosen the path of integration with Europe, but vowed his new government would not recognise Kosovo as an independent state.Mr Tadic said Serbs had chosen the path of integration with Europe, but vowed his new government would not recognise Kosovo as an independent state.
His bloc will not have a majority in parliament and will have to seek a coalition with smaller parties.His bloc will not have a majority in parliament and will have to seek a coalition with smaller parties.
The 11 May elections are a form of referendum at which citizens will decide on whether or not Serbia... will be a member of the EU Boris TadicSerbian president class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7392797.stm">Poll fuels Kosovo tension The ultra-nationalist Radical Party indirectly accepted the results by publishing its own projection, but its leader Tomislav Nikolic said it could still form a nationalist coalition against Mr Tadic.
The people of Serbia have undoubtedly confirmed that Serbia is clearly on a European path Boris TadicSerbian president Poll fuels Kosovo tension
Kosovo's declaration of independence was considered a major campaign issue.Kosovo's declaration of independence was considered a major campaign issue.
Disagreements over how to react when most EU countries recognised Kosovo led to the collapse of a fragile coalition between Mr Tadic's Democratic Party and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's nationalist Democratic Party of Serbia.Disagreements over how to react when most EU countries recognised Kosovo led to the collapse of a fragile coalition between Mr Tadic's Democratic Party and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's nationalist Democratic Party of Serbia.
Serbs in Kosovo were allowed to vote in the election though the Kosovo Albanian government and UN authority said they considered the ballot to be illegal.
UN official Joachim Ruecker said the outcome of the election there would not be recognised.
Sigh of reliefSigh of relief
Mr Tadic said the Serbian people had in effect given their approval to the country's membership of the EU.
"The people of Serbia have undoubtedly confirmed that Serbia is clearly on a European path," he told supporters in Belgrade.
A statement from the EU's Slovenian presidency welcomed a "clear victory" for pro-European forces, and said it hoped they would quickly form a government.
Some seven million Serbs were eligible to go to the polls.Some seven million Serbs were eligible to go to the polls.
The final turnout was 60.7%, the non-governmental Centre for Free Elections and Democracy said.The final turnout was 60.7%, the non-governmental Centre for Free Elections and Democracy said.
A projection of the result based on a sample count throughout the country suggested the Democratic Party and its allies had won abut 39% and the ultra-nationalist Radical Party 29%. A projection of the result based on a sample count throughout the country suggested the Democratic Party and its allies had won about 39% and the ultra-nationalist Radical Party 29%.
His alliance is projected to have around 103 seats in the 250-seat parliament.
The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Belgrade says that if confirmed the unofficial results would trigger a collective sigh of relief across Europe.The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Belgrade says that if confirmed the unofficial results would trigger a collective sigh of relief across Europe.
Mr Tadic, narrowly re-elected in January against Radical leader Tomislav Nikolic, could now claim a much stronger mandate for his pledge to bring Serbia closer to the EU, she says. Mr Tadic, narrowly re-elected in January against Mr Nikolic, could now claim a much stronger mandate for his pledge to bring Serbia closer to the EU, she says.
But with no overall majority for the reformers, the result could still allow nationalist parties to form a larger bloc.
Polarised nationPolarised nation
It is just over a year since the last, inconclusive general election.It is just over a year since the last, inconclusive general election.
A bitter campaign seems to have left them more polarised than ever, our correspondent says. A bitter campaign seems to have left Serbia more polarised than ever, our correspondent says.
Serbia's President Boris Tadic casts his voteSerbia's President Boris Tadic casts his vote
Mr Tadic and his allies have hailed the signing of a long-delayed agreement with the EU as a signal that Serbia is on the road to membership of the prosperous bloc.
"I am totally sure that people of Serbia are going to vote for their European future, and also to contribute in terms of our capability to defend our legitimate interest in Kosovo," he told journalists after casting his ballot in Belgrade.
The Radical Party has argued that signing the EU agreement was tantamount to recognising Kosovo independence, and has promised closer ties to Moscow.The Radical Party has argued that signing the EU agreement was tantamount to recognising Kosovo independence, and has promised closer ties to Moscow.
"We'll make Serbia a country of proud people again, defend our borders and cooperate with everyone, openly with friends but cautiously with those who show they are not our friends," Mr Nikolic said after voting. However, there are fears that Serbia is headed once again for a weak government, if not months of political squabbling and instability, our correspondent adds.
Kosovo ballot
Mr Kostunica, whose party has branded Mr Tadic a Judas and a traitor, could hold the key to any future coalition but so could the Socialists of the late dictator Slobodan Milosevic.
However, many fear that Serbia is headed once again for a weak government, if not months of political squabbling and instability, our correspondent adds.
In Kosovo, national and council elections have been organised directly by Serbia in defiance of the Albanian and international authorities.In Kosovo, national and council elections have been organised directly by Serbia in defiance of the Albanian and international authorities.
The Serbian capital is plastered with election postersThe Serbian capital is plastered with election posters
Many Kosovo Serbs see the polls as a chance to elect genuine local leaders at last, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Pristina.Many Kosovo Serbs see the polls as a chance to elect genuine local leaders at last, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Pristina.
Marko Jaksic, a Kosovo Serb leader in the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, said he hoped the Radicals would win, describing Boris Tadic as the EU's "favourite puppet".Marko Jaksic, a Kosovo Serb leader in the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, said he hoped the Radicals would win, describing Boris Tadic as the EU's "favourite puppet".
Oliver Ivanovic, a moderate Kosovo Serb leader in the town, suggested a win for pro-EU parties would benefit Serbs.Oliver Ivanovic, a moderate Kosovo Serb leader in the town, suggested a win for pro-EU parties would benefit Serbs.
"If the democratic forces win these elections, I'm quit sure that Serbia will be very soon after in the EU," he said."If the democratic forces win these elections, I'm quit sure that Serbia will be very soon after in the EU," he said.
UN official Joachim Ruecker said the outcome of the election there would not be recognised.