Serbs went to the polls today in a general election expected to see strong gains for ultra-nationalists on the back of widespread discontent with Western-style reforms after Slobodan Milosevic's fall in 2000.
The Radical Party, led by firebrand hardliner Mr Vojislav Seselj from behind bars at The Hague war crimes tribunal, is forecast to win up to a quarter of the vote and emerge as the biggest party, dealing a setback to feuding pro-democracy politicians.
Even though it is not expected to get into power, the revival of a party advocating a "Greater Serbia" has sparked deep concern in Western capitals and among Balkan neighbours still wary of Belgrade after the wars of the 1990s.
"I expect a convincing victory," said acting Radical Party head Mr Tomislav Nikolic as he voted in clear winter weather.
Mr Nikolic, nicknamed "gravedigger" for a previous job managing a cemetery, said he believed it would even be able to form a government, despite surveys showing it won't win a majority. All other major parties have vowed not to work with it.
Further underlining a mood of defiance against the UN war crimes court, Mr Seselj's fellow detainee Mr Milosevic heads the candidate list of his once-mighty Socialists, who opinion polls say will pass a five per cent voter threshold for entering the legislature.
Diplomats and analysts say the reformers who united against former president Mr Milosevic but later split will be able to face down rightwing hardliners, as they are likely to win a majority between them.
But with deep divisions on main issues, such a coalition may struggle to push ahead with stalled reforms needed to attract crucial foreign investment, commentators say.