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Saturday, December 20, 1997 Published at 20:43 GMT
Despatches
![image: [ BBC Correspondent: Karen Coleman ]](/olmedia/images/coleman.jpg) | Karen Coleman Belgrade |
Serbia will try to elect a new President on Sunday for the fourth time in three months. Three rounds of elections already held were unsuccessful in producing a clear winner. Two candidates are up against one another in Sunday's run-off. Democratic opposition parties who were calling for a boycott say the choice is between a fascist and a neo-Communist. The extreme nationalist, Vojislav Seselj, is running against Milan Milutinovic, who is a protege of Slobodan Milosevic, the federal Yugoslav President. Karen Coleman reports from Belgrade: Voters will go to the polls again in this the fourth attempt in three months to elect a new President. Apathy and disinterest left many staying at home during the previous three rounds. Many in Serbia are fed up with elections and the poor choice of candidates on offer and it may well be that less than the required 50% of the electorate will turn out this time as well. If that happens yet more elections will have to be held. Opposition parties describe the choice of candidates running as one between a fascist and a neo-Communist. Vojislav Seselj is an extreme nationalist whose paramilitary forces terrorised non-Serbs during the wars in Bosnia and Croatia. Western diplomats have condemned his policies and said they will not do business with him. His opponent, Milan Milutinovic, represents the old guard. He's a protege of Slobodan Milosevic, who is now the President of the Yugoslav Federation. Pre-election polls given Mr. Milutinovic a slight lead over Mr. Seselj. Analysts say the continual presidential stalemate suits Mr. Milosevic. As long as Serbia remains without a president he can rule unhindered. | |
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In this section Historic day for East Timor |
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