“Pro-Western forces in Serbia claimed victory Monday after general elections gave them a strong mandate to move closer to the European Union despite fears of a nationalist backlash over Kosovo. ‘The citizens of Serbia have undoubtedly confirmed a clear European path,’ President Boris Tadic, the flag-bearer of the pro-European forces, told jubilant supporters overnight. … If confirmed, the election results will be seen as a breakthrough for Serbia, where a series of governments since the ouster eight years ago of late autocratic president Slobodan Milosevic have struggled for unity on the path to EU membership. Those divisions came to the fore in a spiteful campaign in which Tadic and his allies were branded ‘traitors’ after signing a rapprochement accord with the European Union. Most EU members have recognised Kosovo.” (05/11/08)