December 28, 2003 October is Koufax Pledge Drive month
Principal Off-Rez, call handlers (pt 3)
The SRS looks to take 27.5% of the vote, winning Mr. Seslj a seat in the Parliment. The SPS looks to take 7%, above the 5% cut-off, and therefore Mr. Milosevic too wins a seat in the Parliment.
Data via Libé, from a projection by the independent election supervising body. Photo EPA.
The thing I take away from this is that after three years of post-Milosevic government, less than half of the Serbian electorate was convinced that something more complex than a return to the prior regime, minus its most egregious military excesses, was the better choice. Anger at the West. Anger at corrupt politicians. Anger at a stagnant economy. This is so possible in Iraq in 2007, and it seems uncannily close to the present moment here in the US, with the obvious re-allignment of the scarecrows and signposts.
Social democrats take note.
The funny thing is, they hated Milosevic, not for being a "war criminal", but for his economic policy & corruption. Many felt he was trying to save the country & that leaders of the other warring factions in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo -- as well as interference from the int'l community -- played as big a role in the tragedy of the Balkan wars as any individual Milosevic policy or command. Many also felt that atrocities were committed on all sides and individuals and rag-tag militia leaders were more responsible for incidents than leaders higher up. Now they are voting for him because he has stood up to the Int'l Court (which some lawyers have argued is a kangaroo court, not giving Milosevic proper legal rights, due process, etc.), and he doesn't seem so corrupt compared to what scum has emerged in the last few years.
Posted by: satiRic air tanK at December 29, 2003 02:42 AM