On November 4 2008, the nationalist Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) of former Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica signed a declaration of political co-operation with the smaller nationalist New Serbia (NS) and National Party (NP), headed by former infrastructure minister Velimir Ilic and former mayor of Novi Sad Maja Gojkovic, respectively, Serbian broadcaster B92 reported.
The deal is meant to strengthen the positions of the nationalist opposition in Serbia, which was thrust out of power following the snap elections in May.
The aim of the opposition alliance, as proclaimed by DSS spokesperson Andreja Mladenovic, is "to establish a new government, which, unlike the current one, will pursue a responsible national and state policy in the interests of all Serbia's citizens".
"We want to create a Serbia on the basis of enduring democratic principles and national values, open for domestic and foreign investment, a Serbia where the people will live free of political tension, with a full feeling of security for themselves, their families, their jobs, property and investments," Mladenovic added, as quoted by B92.
Vojislav Kostunica, the strongman in the new Serbian opposition axis, resigned from the post of prime minister in March 2008 over disagreements with coalition partners from the Democratic Party (DS) of president Boris Tadic on whether to proceed with the country's European integration given most European Union member states rushed to recognise the independence of secessionist Kosovo.
The elections that followed saw the victory of Tadic's pro-European coalition, which later allied itself to the Socialists to form a government, placing EU accession on top of its agenda.
In a related development, Kostunica denied any intentions to ally his party with the newly-formed Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) of Tomislav Nikolic any time soon.
"In this fight for change, the DSS has chosen its allies in NS and the NP, and any talk of other coalitions could be possible after elections," Kostunica told Serbian daily Večernje Novosti at the end of October, as quoted by B92.
Prior to forming his own party, Nikolic served as de facto leader of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), but his more moderate stance regarding Serbia's EU future led to disagreements with SRS' official head Vojislav eelj, currently on trial at The Hague war crimes tribunal. Nikolic left the party, followed by several SRS MPs, in early September.
The next general elections in Serbia are due for 2012.