Serbs vote on Sunday in a presidential election, with opinion polls giving hardline challenger Tomislav Nikolic a slim lead over pro-Western incumbent Boris Tadic, but not enough for a first-round victory.Here are profiles of the main candidates:
TOMISLAV NIKOLIC (Radical Party)
Orientation: nationalist, eurosceptic
Promises: keep Kosovo within Serbia but without going to war; fight crime, corruption; promote employment and people-friendly economic growth strategies.
Quote: “If I win these elections, it is Serbia that will win, not Moscow, not Brussels, not Washington.”
Slogan: “With all our heart”
Recent poll figures: around 33 percent
BORIS TADIC (Democratic Party)
Orientation: centrist, pro-Western
Promises: keeping Kosovo within Serbia but also moving towards the European Union; jobs, health care, education; fight against corruption.
Quote: “The future of Serbia is in Europe, but Serbia needs to preserve its identity. I will never give up Kosovo nor our identity.”
Slogan: “For a strong and stable Serbia”
Recent poll figures: around 30 percent
VELIMIR ILIC (New Serbia/Democratic Party of Serbia)
Orientation: populist
Promises: development and infrastructure to improve living conditions; employment; keeping Kosovo within Serbia.
Quote: “The low birth rate is a huge problem and we have to adopt laws to change it. The new president has to get involved in solving this problem.”
Slogan: “From the people, for the people”
Recent poll figures: around 6 percent
CEDOMIR JOVANOVIC (Liberal Democratic Party)
Orientation: liberal, pro-Western
Promises: rejecting the nationalist values of the war-torn 1990s, joining Europe; emphasis on youth, fast reforms.
Quote: “The Kosovo problem is being misused in order for Serbia to get off the European path.”
Slogan: “Life rules”
Recent poll figures: around 6 percent
MILUTIN MRKONJIC (Socialist Party)
Orientation: Populist, nationalist
Promises: social justice, nationalizations, higher pensions.
Quote: “Slobodan Milosevic is a charismatic historic personality, I would never be able to reach his level. Nobody can copy him such an honorable, honest, special man.”
Slogan: “Our comrade”
Recent poll figures: around 6 percent