FACTBOX-Policies of main contenders in Serbia election
May 11 (Reuters) - Here is a brief overview of the policy pledges of Serbia's two main parties, the nationalist Radicals and the pro-Western Democrats, and of the kingmaker Democratic Party of Serbia of outgoing Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica.
- RADICAL PARTY
Slogan: Go Serbia!
The Radicals want Serbia to have close ties with Russia, China, and Arab and Latin American countries, and insist on opposing the independence of Kosovo at any cost. They say they would not be against EU membership if the EU stops supporting Kosovo's Albanian majority and reaffirms Serbia's claim on the territory.
They guarantee the safety of foreign investments and pledge to fight corruption in the economy. They want to increase employment through public works, subsidise agriculture, offer state development funds to small companies to increase exports, and cut taxes in a way that benefits the poor, especially families with children.
- DEMOCRATIC PARTY-G17+ COALITION
Slogan: For a European Serbia
The coalition of the Democrats with the technocratic G17+ party is a delicate balancing act, vowing to speed ahead towards EU membership while still fighting against Kosovo's secession. The Democrats' leader, Serbian President Boris Tadic, is Brussels' preferred partner in Serbia, seen as the only man who can get Serbs to choose Europe over Kosovo.
Their economic programme is based on attracting foreign investment to revitalise ailing industries, start greenfield projects and build key infrastructure, and cutting taxes to boost employment. They are seen as the closest ally to Serbia's strong-minded central bank, which aims to keep inflation low and the dinar currency stable.
- DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SERBIA
Slogan: Uphold Serbia!
The party has lost its initial reform-oriented focus to become increasingly populist, anti-Western and especially anti-American over Western backing for Kosovo's secession. Its leader, outgoing Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, favours close political and economic ties with Russia and wants to force the EU to choose between Kosovo and Serbia before discussing Belgrade's path to membership.
It promises to safeguard social benefits while pursuing the privatisation of state firms and wooing investment for public-private partnerships on road, rail, and river traffic projects especially in poorer parts of rural Serbia.
