Main parties in Serbia vote

The main parties that participated in early parliamentary elections in Serbia on Sunday:

_ SERBIAN RADICAL PARTY: Far-right party that ruled with former strongman Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s. Leader Vojislav Seselj is on trial at the Netherlands-based U.N. war crimes tribunal. The Radicals still advocate forming a Greater Serbia and have pledged never to hand over the remaining Serb war crimes fugitives. They want to scrap Serbia's efforts to join the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.

_ FOR A EUROPEAN SERBIA COALITION: Coalition of pro-Western parties led by the Democratic Party of Serbian President Boris Tadic. The group advocates a continuation of pro-Western reforms launched after Milosevic's ouster in 2000 and swift EU integration. Tadic became Democratic Party leader after the 2003 assassination of Serbia's first post-Milosevic prime minister, Zoran Djindjic. He has pledged to arrest Gen. Ratko Mladic and other war crimes suspects.

_ POPULAR COALITION: Conservative coalition led by outgoing Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica. Kostunica, who played a key role in Milosevic's downfall in 2000, has become a fierce critic of the West because of its support for Kosovo independence. He wants to halt Serbia's EU bid and turn toward Russia.

_ SOCIALIST PARTY: Party founded and led by Milosevic until he died in 2006 during his genocide trial at the U.N. war crimes court.

_ LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Staunchly pro-Western group, led by the charismatic Cedomir Jovanovic.

Obama visits White House as transfer of power begins

More from Americas:

• U.S. bishops encouraged to challenge Obama
• Palin blames Bush administration for Republican loss
• Obama urged to scrap some Pentagon programs

Search

Subscriptions
Sign Up  |  Manage