The spectre of a hardline nationalist as president of Serbia once more haunts the Balkans.

Even though Tomislav Nikolic, acting Radical party leader, is no Slobodan Milosevic, his victory in Sunday’s first round of the presidential election gives real cause for concern. Boris Tadic, the pro-west incumbent, has a lot to do if he is to win the February 3 run-off. He came from behind to beat Mr Nikolic in a similar run-off four years ago. But since 2004, radical anti-western sentiments have spread, fuelled mainly by the impassioned Kosovo debate.