Belgrade, 7 August 2000 (RFE/RL) - A new fissure has opened among Serbia's opposition parties ahead of the upcoming Yugoslav presidential election. The largest opposition party, the Serbian Renewal Movement of Vuk Draskovic, yesterday nominated Belgrade Mayor Vojislav Mihajlovic to challenge President Slobodan Milosevic in the September 24 poll. But the step was immediately criticized by the leaders of 15 other opposition parties, who say Mihajlovic has no chance of beating Milosevic.
These opposition parties, who have joined together in a bloc, are promoting their own presidential candidate, Vojislav Kostunica. They have warned that two competing opposition candidates would likely allow Milosevic to win the election.
The opposition bloc has called on the Serbian Renewal Movement to reconsider its decision and join the rest of the opposition in choosing a joint presidential candidate.
The opposition bloc has called on the Serbian Renewal Movement to reconsider its decision and join the rest of the opposition in choosing a joint presidential candidate.