Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica announced Saturday the dissolution of the governing coalition, which is too divided over Kosovo. 

“The government of Serbia has no united policy any more on an important issue related to the future of the country - Kosovo as a part of Serbia,” Kostunica told reporters as he announced his move in Belgrade.

He said that dissolution is the best measure given the fact that the “government is not working” and called for new elections.  Kostunica told reporters in a news conference that a government session is due on March 10, when the dissolution of parliament will be discussed, Reuters informs. “We should return the mandate to the people,” he said.

If the decision is adopted, the parliamentary election will be held in May. The main issue comes down to one question: should Serbia hope for EU membership after Kosovo’s independence was recognized by the EU?

The election will probably be held on May 11, when local elections are due in Serbia.

Kostunica has indirectly blamed pro-Western ministers for not supporting his efforts to preserve Kosovo as part of Serbia, in favor of better ties with the West.

Kostunica said that part of the coalition wanted Serbia to become a member of the European Union only if the European Union rescinds its decision to recognize Kosovo’s independence. Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, has described the decision of the EU member states to recognize Kosovo as illegal, BBC reports.

“Our coalition partners were not ready to adhere to our joint policy with two basic principles, the one that says that Kosovo is Serbia and the other one, that Serbia can only enter the EU with Kosovo,” Kostunica told reporters.

On the other hand, Serbian President Boris Tadic says that the only way Serbia can claim its right over Kosovo province is to join the EU. On February 17, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, backed by the United States and several EU countries.