Democrats bid to unite as Serb ultras on rise

SERBIA’S president yesterday called on pro-democratic parties to put differences aside and quickly form a coalition government to stave off gains made by ultra-nationalists in weekend parliamentary elections.

The formation of a government has taken on added urgency because a UN envoy is expected later this week to deliver his recommendations on whether the southern Serbian province of Kosovo should become independent.

The politician considered most likely to become the prime minister designate in a pro-Democracy coalition, Bozidar Djelic, warned that releasing the report before the formation of a new government would only bolster the ultra-nationalists further.