This Week in the News 

Serbia

Former presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolić from the Progressive Party (SNS) accused his opponent Boris Tadić from the Democratic Party (DS) of electoral fraud. Nikolić stated that, should he not win the run off election on May 20, 2012, then nobody will ever know how the elections were rigged. Nikolić explained his decision of not withdrawing from the presidency. He will not grant Tadić the chance of winning the elections automatically, said Nikolić. Not only would it be against the law for me to withdraw, it would also be a crime to leave Serbia in Tadić’s hands. He is sure that the elections were rigged and said he will continue his bid for the presidency so as to win the runoff election. This way, Nikolić explained, everybody will know that there was electoral fraud. Nikolić also criticized Serbia’s media organization RTS of siding with Tadić.

Former presidential candidate for the Democratic Party (DS) Boris Tadić stated that presidential candidate for the Progressive Party (SNS) Tomislav Nikolić does not shy away from threating with destabilization and conflict so as to avoid his failed attempt at getting elected. If the OSCE, and all other CESID observer parties, including the people from the SNS in the polling places were satisfied with the elections, then Nikolić’s behavior simply shows that he is a sore loser. Tadić added that he was not surprised with Serbia’s general election results. Since 2000, said Tadić, people chose the way of stability and new chances. They do not wish to return to the situation of the 1990’s. Those who unable to lose are the ones that are surprised, said Tadić, adding that those are the ones who proclaim alleged irregularities regarding the votes. Tadić sees this as an alibi for those that may be poised to lose come May 20, 2012 – the presidential election of Serbia. Tadić expressed certainty that voters will continue to choose a pro-European policy that will bring investment, new jobs and stability to the region.

In the end, right wing politician Tomislav Nikolić won Serbia’s presidency. Vesna Peśić, former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) MP of Serbia, believes that the reason for Tadić’s loss was the nature of his aggressive campaign. Tadić’s campaign, so Peśić, was unpleasant and his ruling appeared arrogant. His administration forgot about ordinary citizens who were left with nothing after the faulty privatization process. The outcome of the presidential campaign is the result of mismanaged governance, explains Peśić, adding that it is good that Serbia proved that the government is replacable. This should be a clear message to the new administration that they too could be replaced. Peśić predicted prior to the presidential elections that Tadić will not be re-elected. 

Tadić received his greatest support from the Sandžak region, said Meho Muhmatović, mayer of Novi Pazar. In the six municipalities that are located in Sandžak, 75,2 percent – or 83,231 supported Tadić whereas 24 percent – or 27,447 of the voters chose Nikolić. Muhmatović stated that Sandžak’s citizens voted for a pro-European administration and added that he hopes the new government will stay on its course toward Europe.  

Truck drivers blocked the road between Raška and Novi Pazar for several hours. The truckers were dissatisfied because they were not able to carry their cargo to Kosovo south of the Ibar River, across the administrative crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak. The blockade dissolved after some time the same day after a meeting with Meho Mahmutović, the mayor of Novi Pazar. Mahmutović promised to push for a resolution of the problems. There are about 3,000 trucks that are registered in Novi Pazar which carry fright for a large number of Serbian companies.

There are about 200 Roma that live in and around Novi Pazar, most of whom fled from Kosovo. According to Blic, these people live in tough conditions without water and electricity. Now, they asked the government for help. The responsible administrative bodies ought to bring electricity to the citizens and pave the roads. Mefail Đugatani, one of the Roma, said they would like to send their children to school, adding that it was hard for them to send their kids to school dirty.

“Sandžak za Tadića, jug za Nikolića”. B92. Accessed May 21, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/izbori2012/vesti.php?yyyy=2012&mm=05&dd=21&nav_id=611190

“Vesna Peśić: Agresivna Tadićeva kampanja je odbila Ljude!” Telegraf. Accessed May 20, 2012. http://www.telegraf.rs/vesti/215044-vesna-pesic-agresivna-tadiceva-kampanja-je-odbila-ljude

“Romi iz Novog Pazara traže struju i vodu”. Blic Online. Accessed May 17, 2012. http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Drustvo/324120/Romi-iz-Novog-Pazara-traze-struju-i-vodu     

“Prekinuta blokada puta Raška”. RTS. Accessed May 16, 2012. http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/57/Srbija+danas/1103738/Prekinuta+blokada+puta+Raška+-+Novi+Pazar.html

“Nikolić: Ako ne pobedim, nikada nećete saznati kako je DS pokrao izbore”. Blic. Accessed May 14, 2012. http://www.blic.rs/izbori-2012/vesti/1162/Nikolic-Znam-da-mogu-da-pobedim-Borisa-Tadica 

“Tadić: Nikolićevi potezi alibi za neuspeh”. EMG.rs. accessed May 14, 2012. http://www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija/179454.html   

Bosnia and Herzwgovina (BiH) 

An increasing number of foreign investors are withdrawing money from BiH. This year, reported the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, more money left BiH than was invested in it. Investors withdrew 100 million marks in capital while only half that sum was reinvested. From approximately 50 million marks, about 15 have been invested by Croatia and Slovenia while Switzerland, Italy and Turkey each invested about 5 million marks. Austrian companies withdrew about 45 million marks, Serbia 35 million and Luxembourg withdrew 28 million marks.

Mevlid Jašarević is likely to deny all charges against him this coming Wednesday. His lawyer, Senad Dupovac, explained that he can not be sure about his behavior in the courtroom while he is certain that he, Jašarević will plead not guilty regarding charges of terrorism. Jašarević’s partners, Emrah Fojnic and Muniba Ahmedspahić too are thought to plead not guilty.

Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska (RS), stated that the “experiment” of state building in Bosnia i Herzegovina (BiH) had failed. Dodik again criticized the international community of having degraded the Dayton Accords. He believes RS to be a successful community in which everybody is welcome while he deems the BiH experiment a failure. Dodik added that RS ought to become an increasingly independent entity within BiH, without putting anybody at a disadvantage.

“Dodik: BiH neuspeno eksperiment”. RTS. Accessed May 18, 2012.

http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/11/Region/1104830/Dodik%3A+BiH+neuspeo+eksperiment.html     

“Jašarević će se izjasniti da nije kriv”. SEEbiz.eu. Accessed May 19, 2012. http://www.seebiz.eu/jasarevic-ce-se-izjasniti-da-nije-kriv/ar-35301/     

“Strani investor povlače novac iz BiH”. EMG.rs. Accessed May 18, 2012.

http://www.emg.rs/vesti/region/179675.html