Boris Tadić reelection campaign, 2008

Boris Tadić has advocated early presidential election that is required by the constitutional law, since the adoption of the new Constitution of Serbia, after a successful constitutional referendum in October 2006. On 13 December 2007 the speaker of the Parliament, Oliver Dulić, set the 2008 presidential election date for 20 January 2008. The Democratic Party officially submitted the candidacy of its leader, to the Republic Electoral Commission on 21 December. Tadić held his first election convention on 22 December, in Novi Sad.^[1] The re-election campaign was led under the slogan - ”For a Strong and Stable Serbia“ (За Јаку и Стабилну Србију) in the first round and ”Let's conquer Europe together!“ (Да освојимо Европу заједно!) in the second. Boris Tadić advocates integration of Serbia into the European Union but also territorial integrity of Serbia with sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohia.

As a part of a campaign, Boris Tadić answered the 10 most interesting questions every week through the campaign website in the form of video response on YouTube.^[2]

Boris Tadić won 1,457,030 votes or 35.39% in the first round. In the second round on 3 February 2008 he faced Tomislav Nikolić. According to the final results, Boris Tadić won the election with 50.31% or 2,304,467 votes.^[3]

Boris Tadić stated that Serbia is a brilliant democratic country with a great future, after results were published. He also said that however, it is not a time for celebration, but hard work and that Serbia needs to secure stability and a European vision for all ethnic communities and the Serbian people. After declaring victory in yesterday’s election, Tadić congratulated his opponent Tomislav Nikolić and said that he would meet with him soon, because he deserved respect on the basis of the number of votes he received and called on all citizens to congratulate Nikolić on his election results because he wanted Serbia to be united in the upcoming times. He also assured Serbian citizens in Kosovo that they would never be betrayed.^[4]

He was sworn in at the inauguration ceremony on 15 February 2008 in the National Assembly of Serbia.^[5]

Support

He has received support from the closely allied minority parties Sanjak Democratic Party and Roma Union of Serbia. The G17 Plus coalition partner, has also openly supported his candidacy.

Tadić received wide support for the second round from League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina, Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, Democratic Fellowship of Vojvodina Hungarians, Democratic Party of Vojvodina Hungarians, Hungarian Civic Alliance, List for Sanjak, Civic Initiative of Gora, Democratic League of Croats in Vojvodina, Reformists of Vojvodina, Democratic Movement of Serbian Romanians, Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija, European Movement of Serbia, Serbian Renewal Movement, Vojvodina Party, Independent Democratic Serbian Party, Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, Democratic Party of Bulgarians, Union of Socialists of Vojvodina, Social Democratic Party, Democratic Party of Serbs Green party Eko, National Movement of Sandžak, Association of Free and Independent Trade Unions, Federation of Nongovernmental Organizations of Serbia, Coalition "Together for Kragujevac", Serbian National Council of Kosovo and Metohija and National Councils of Slovakian, Roma, Macedonian, Romanian, Rusyn, and Vlach national minorities.^[6]

Tadić has received a strong support from Milorad Dodik, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska.^[7] Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote a letter to Tadić a week before the election, in which he wished Tadić a happy birthday and all the best in his activities for “the welfare of our friends, Serbia.” ^[8]

Boris Tadić also received support from various organizations of people with disabilities and special needs including Association for the Blind of Vojvodina, Deaf Association of Vojvodina, Sunflower - Association of Cerebral palsy, Multiple sclerosis Society of Vojvodina, Association of Societies of Vojvodina against Diabetes. He also received support of war veteran groups Association of War Veterans of Vojvodina and Association of War Veterans of 1990.^[9]

International reaction on results

Austria - Heinz Fischer, President of Austria, congratulated Tadić and stated "I am absolutely convinced that your reelection will strengthen pro-European course of Serbia".^[10] Alfred Gusenbauer, Chancellor of Austria, said that "reelection of Boris Tadić is a clear signal that the people of Serbia see their future in the EU".^[11] Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik praised the re-election of Tadić as a decision to keep moving towards the EU, "The people of Serbia have given a European vote of confidence".^[12]
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik congratulated Tadić by saying that "The victory of Boris Tadić is of great importance for the RS and Serbia. This victory means continuation of cooperation between the two".^[13] Nebojša Radmanović, Serb member of the tripartite presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Rajko Kuzmanović, President of Republika Srpska, have congratulated Boris Tadić and stated that he will enjoy the full support of Republika Srpska in his activity. Igor Radojičić, Chairman of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, stated that "people of Serbia have chosen a European course by their determination for future where Serbia will be a country of developed democratic ideas and a key factor of the regional stability". Željko Komšić, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressed his wish that "the victory of Boris Tadić will lead to better relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina".^[14]
Bulgaria - Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, said that "the victory of Boris Tadić over ultra-nationalist opponent is an important signal of the continued, predictable path of Serbia toward its European future." ^[11]
Croatia - President Stjepan Mesić congratulated Tadić and stated that "he hopes that two Presidents will work together in bridging problems from the past and will work towards deeper cooperation between two countries in the future".^[15]
Czech Republic - Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of Czech Republic, said that "reelection of President Tadić will directly bring to the stability of the south European region".^[10] Karel Schwarzenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, said "President Tadić guarantees further democratic direction of the Serbian nation, which demonstrated its intention to set out on a European course" which makes him glad as "Serbian people have always supported Czech people in tough times".^[11]
Denmark - Per Stig Møller, Foreign Minister of Denmark, stated that "the Serb voters are to be congratulated for this election result, which is good news for Serbia's European prospects, but also likely good news for the EU and all of Europe".^[11]
European Union - Presidency of the Council of the European Union issued a statement saying that "the EU wishes to deepen its relationship with Serbia and to accelerate its progress towards the EU, including candidate status". Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the EU, said that "Europe is very satisfied with results which show that Serbia has chosen the path of European integration". José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, congratulated Tadić on victory and stated that "it is a victory for democracy in Serbia and for the European Values we share. Serbia has shown capability to take the responsibility of modern and democratic society. European Union wishes to speed up the process of Serbian EU integration together with President Tadić".^[11] Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, stated that "Serbian voters have shown they consider themselves a part of the European family.^[10]
Finland - Ilkka Kanerva, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, congratulated citizens of Serbia on election results and expressed his wish for Serbia to stay strongly on the same direction.^[16]
France - Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, sent the "warmest congratulations" to Boris Tadić and hailed the "will of Serbia to progress on a European course".^[11]
Germany - Horst Köhler, President of Germany, wrote a letter to Tadić stating "Your election success is an important signal for reform orientation of Serbia's development. I am glad that the majority of Serbian people share the European vision of Boris Tadić".^[10] Thomas Steg, Spokesman of the Cabinet of Germany, welcomed reelection of Tadić as good news for the whole Europe. He stated that election results were received with joy and that "Serbian people have underlined that they see Serbian future in Europe".^[11] Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister, said he was "extraordinarily pleased" with Tadić's win.^[17]
Greece - Karolos Papoulias, President of Greece, congratulated Boris Tadić on reelection and said that "traditional and honest friendship between Serbia and Greece are the base for future strong cooperation".^[10] Kostas Karamanlis, Prime Minister of Greece, congratulated Tadić and stated that "the future of Serbia and all countries in the region is in the EU".^[11]
Hungary - Kinga Göncz, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that "Hungary welcomes reelection of the moderate candidate Boris Tadić" and "Hungarian national minority in Serbia will benefit from his presidency" ^[11]
Italy - Massimo D'Alema, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, said that "Boris Tadić will continue to successfully lead Serbia on the path of development and he will give inducement to internal reforms while leading Serbia into the European Union".^[11] Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy and Romano Prodi, Prime Minister of Italy have also congratulated Boris Tadić on reelection.^[10]
North Macedonia - President Branko Crvenkovski stated in his congratulations that "the victory of Boris Tadić is the victory of European ideas and the choice that will lead to prosperity and the stability of the whole region". Antonio Milošoski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that victory of Tadić will strengthen cooperation between Serbia and Macedonia and speed up the process of Euroatlantic integration.^[14]
Montenegro - Filip Vujanović, President of Montenegro, stated in his letter that "guarantee of Serbia's European path and friendship with neighboring and regional states. A continuation of such state policy, that you promoted in the previous mandate, provides you with a reliable partner and friend in Montenegro, for the good of the citizens and our states, which cherish close ties".^[18] Željko Šturanović, Prime Minister of Montenegro, and Milo Đukanović have stated that "the victory of Tadić is a victory of democratic values".^[14]
Netherlands - Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulated Boris Tadić and reminded that "it is up to Serbia to take necessary steps on path of EU accession".^[10]
Norway - Jens Stoltenberg, Norwegian Prime Minister, said the result "demonstrates that Serbs have chosen cooperation rather than isolation, which bodes well for Serbia's further development".^[19]
Romania - Traian Băsescu, President of Romania, said that "Serbian voters have shown strong determination for Europe by reelecting Tadić and that Romania will give all support to Serbia".^[10] Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the election results stating that they reflect the wish of Serbian voters for the continuation of EU integrations.^[11]
Russia - Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, congratulated Tadić in a letter stating "Dear President, I wish you future success in your activity and peace and prosperity to the Serbian people".^[20] Konstantin Kosachyov, head of Russia's Foreign Affairs Committee, "Tadić is an absolutely predictable, promising and constructive partner".^[17] Sergey Mironov, Speaker of the Federation Council, said he was sorry that Tomislav Nikolić lost.^[21]
Slovakia - Ivan Gašparovič, President of Slovakia, sent a telegram of congratulations "Your victory in the presidential elections is confirmation of the will and desire of the people in your country to continue the process of far-reaching democratic changes".^[22] Ján Kubiš, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, stated that "the reelection of Boris Tadić verifies the high level of responsibility of the Serbian people for the European future of the whole country".^[11] Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, expressed "support for the European future of Serbia".^[10]
Slovenia - "Serbia has an open road to a European future", said Dimitrij Rupel. Slovenian Prime Minister and President of the Council of Europe Janez Janša also congratulated Tadić stating that "the result could be interpreted as a reflection of the desire and determination of Serbia’s democratic forces to accelerate towards their aim of EU membership".^[23] Danilo Türk, President of Slovenia, congratulated Tadić and expressed his wish that "the friendly relations between the two countries will continue to strengthen, and that cooperation between Ljubljana and Belgrade, based on mutual respect, will benefit both." ^[11]
Sweden - Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that "the result of the election is good for Serbia and the whole region. Efforts to bring Serbia into a deadlock have failed".^[11]
United Kingdom - Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that "the British Government shares political devotion of President Tadić for the common cause of the European Serbia".^[24] David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, welcomed election results and said that "President Boris Tadić is committed to European future of Serbia" ^[10]
United States - Sean McCormack, State Department Spokesman, congratulated Tadić and his Serbian Democratic Party on the victory and called the nearly 70 percent turnout for Sunday's voting remarkable. "We look forward to continuing our efforts to build a productive relationship with Serbia on matters of common interest. President Tadić promised voters a European future for Serbia," he said. "We will work with President Tadic and Serbia to see that promise fulfilled and Serbia firmly on a path toward European integration."^[25]