Serbia faces choice: Europe or nationalism

Serbia is preparing for this weekend's parliamentary election. The vote will determine whether the country continues to enforce pro-Western reforms, or returns to a nationalist policy.

President Boris Tadic and his pro-Western Democratic Party held a pre-election rally in the capital Belgrade on Thursday.

Tadic has faced mounting criticism from opposition Radical Party supporters after he endorsed a pre-membership agreement with the EU.

The Radicals though say they wouldn't oppose joining the union if it stopped supporting Kosovo's recent independence.

The party also says it wants closer relations with what it calls Serbia's 'true friends', among which Russia holds a key place.

Polls suggest the Radicals currently have a narrow lead.

The Head of the Russian Duma Foreign Affairs Committee, Konstantin Kosachev, says Moscow will respect the election result, whatever the outcome.