So it appears that Tadic and Nikolic have come to an agreement in which Tadic would remain in government as Prime Minister alongside newly-elected President Nikolic to reassure the European Union that Serbia will continue its reforms as part of its bid to join the EU:
Published May 28, 2012
Associated Press
BELGRADE, Serbia – Serbia's new nationalist president and the liberal rival likely to be the next prime minister assured the country Monday that they could overcome deep differences and create a stable, pro-European Union government.
Tomislav Nikolic defeated his predecessor Boris Tadic in the presidential election earlier this month, and Nikolic's nationalist Progressive Party won the largest number of seats in the 250-member parliament. But because Tadic's Democrats gained enough allies to form the next Cabinet, Nikolic is expected to be forced to name Tadic as premier-designate.
The position of prime minister is stronger than that of the president, a largely ceremonial role that cannot draft laws.
The two bitter political foes met Monday, a day after Tadic announced the start of negotiations on the formation of a new government that would leave Nikolic without real power.
"We had very good talks," Tadic said. "This was a meeting not only about the transfer of power ... but about what Serbia's institutions should look like in the future."
So the election result was completely paradoxical. I wonder how can be managed a cohabitation in Serbia given the complexity of the country and its recent History. I would be delighted if someone could give some insight on this issue.
