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Kosovo dominates Serbia's elections
Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:22:35

Tomislav Nikolic(L), Boris Tadic (R).

Voters in Serbia's Presidential elections are faced with multiple issues, especially the key quesion of Kosovo's independence.

Other points of contention they face are closer relations with the West or tighter ties to Russia which is Serbia's only strong ally.

Sunday's vote could determine Kosovo's future. If ultra-nationalist presidential candidate Tomislav Nikolic wins, then there may be a declaration of independence from Serbia's break-away province within days, EuroNews's website reported.

This is while Europe prefers Serbia's current pro-western President Boris Tadic who also wants Kosovo to remain part of Serbia, but is also determined to avoid a return to the rebelliousness and isolation which Serbia went through in the 1990s.

With a Tadic win, Kosovo's leaders may delay their announcement in respect to the wishes of the EU.

In any case, the vote is considered by many as a straightforward referendum on Serbia's future.

The two candidates are currently neck and neck, in a race so close that election monitors may even withhold exit polls fearing the start of early celebrations or raising nationalist tension.

SM/HAR