Parties in Serbia's divided government agreed to hold elections again in May to choose whether to continue pursuing European Union integration or sever ties because of EU support for Kosovo's declaration of independence three weeks ago.

Vojislav Kostunica, nationalist-leaning prime minister, called at the weekend for the early elections. He said his coalition government with pro-EU parties could no longer function amid differences over how to react to the EU's refusal to confirm Serbia's sovereignty over the breakaway province.