Belgrade, 21 July 1997 (RFE/RL) - Zoran Djindjic, Belgrade's first non-communist mayor in 52 years, has survived a no-confidence vote launched by Serbia's Socialist ultranationalist coalition.
Of 82 deputies who voted Friday in the 110-seat city legislature, 50 backed Djindjic while 32 voted against him. Socialist leader Slobodan Milosevic's pro-communists and ultra-nationalists triggered Friday's no-confidence vote. They accused Djindjic of doing nothing to improve life in Belgrade and instead traveling to the West and "plotting" against Serbia.
During a heated debate in the City Council, Djindjic denied the charges. He also said the ultra-nationalists were "a deadly virus" killing Serbia and that their time was running out.
Of 82 deputies who voted Friday in the 110-seat city legislature, 50 backed Djindjic while 32 voted against him. Socialist leader Slobodan Milosevic's pro-communists and ultra-nationalists triggered Friday's no-confidence vote. They accused Djindjic of doing nothing to improve life in Belgrade and instead traveling to the West and "plotting" against Serbia.
During a heated debate in the City Council, Djindjic denied the charges. He also said the ultra-nationalists were "a deadly virus" killing Serbia and that their time was running out.