Serbia poll reaction

They're claiming an election win but the battle isn't over for Serbia's pro-European alliance.

The EU has called for a government to be formed quickly and the alliance, led by President Boris Tadic's Democratic Party, is ready to start coalition talks.

But the road to Europe doesn't look smooth.

The pro-Western parties are being challenged by nationalist runners-up who say they too can form a government.

Monitors say the pro-European alliance won 39 percent of the vote.

The nationalist Radical Party with 29 percent says the alliance is claiming victory too soon.

Many Belgrade citizens doubt a government will be formed.

(SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) ALEKSANDAR DJUROVIC SAYING:

"We will probably have new elections in three to four months and will go on in a circle."

(SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) RODOLJUB SAVIC SAYING:

''I'm afraid that a long and drawn out period is ahead of us with a lot of negotiations in order to form that government which is not good for the country.''

As unlikely as it sounds one coalition option for the Pro-European alliance is Slobodan Milosevic's Socialists who took 9 percent of the vote.

Official election results are due by Thursday night.

The parties then have until mid-September to form a government otherwise new polls will be held.

Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri, Reuters

runners-up a person who comes second in a competition
draw out - To prolong