DOS VICTORY AT SERBIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED

BELGRADE, Dec 24 (Hina) - According to first official returns, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia - DOS - won Saturday's Serbian parliamentary election. The Electoral Commission announced on Sunday that according to the returns from 31.17 percent of polling stations DOS (a coalition of 18 parties) mustered 65 percent of the vote. This will enable DOS reformers to take 177 seats of 250 in the Serbian parliament, and have a free hand in the constitution of the new government. The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) led by the former Yugoslav president and an international war crimes tribunal (ICTY) indictee, Slobodan Milosevic, gained 14.12 percent and thus 38 seats. The Serb Radical Party (SRS) led by a notorious nationalist Vojislav Seselj, got 8.23 percent and thus 22 seats in the Serbian parliament. One of the surprises at this ballot was the Party of the Serb Unity (SSJ), established by a paramilitary leader Zeljko Raznjatovic alias Arkan who was killed earlier this year, winning five percent of the vote (i.e. 13 seats). Two parties which failed to pass the threshold (five percent) - were the Serb Renewal Party (SPO) led by Vuk Draskovic (with 3.5 percent) and the Yugoslav Left (JUL) led by Milosevic's wife Mirjan Markovic (with merely 0.4 percent). (hina) ms