(BELGRADE) - Serbian polls on Sunday brought to the fore deep-rooted divisions about the European Union -- viewed as the means for a better life by some voters, but despised over the issue of Kosovo by others.

Kosovo -- the Albanian-majority province that declared independence from Serbia three months ago -- was the word on everyone's lips as they waited to enter a polling station in a Belgrade residential bloc.

"The main thing is for Kosovo to remain (in Serbia) and not the visas as some think," said a student who declined to give her name, in reference to the EU decision to ease visa requirements for Serbian travellers.

"The most important thing is to preserve the integrity of our country," she said.

Nearby, Gordana, a woman in her fifties, complained about the "very negative" stance of the EU towards Serbia.

She wanted to know why Serbs have been treated "like that," estimating that the other countries in the Balkan region enjoyed better treatment.

But Mirko Causkovic, a 84-year-old pensioner, said he hoped for a "better life" that could "only" come within Europe.

"I expect that integration into Europe will bring us a better life and I don't think there is a negative attitude towards Serbia," he said.

But Zivko Colic warned it was "high time for change."

"These so-called Democrats have been ruling the country for eight years and they achieved nothing, so they can let the others try," said the 79-year-old pensioner.

He accused the pro-European bloc led by President Boris Tadic of being "ready to sell Kosovo for some money and EU benefits."

"Nobody should dare to let Kosovo go. That is why I think patriotic forces should come to power," he said.

Vesna Mitrovic said she did not expect anything "spectacular" from the polls, called after the government of conservative nationalist Vojislav Kostunica split with Tadic's Democratic Party over integration into the EU after Kosovo's independence.

"Unfortunately, nothing will change. We do not have influence in big state questions, they are already decided," said Mitrovic, a 50-year-old physicist.

Branko, a 50-year-old teacher, said he hoped for Kosovo to remain a part of Serbia, but at the same time called for his country to join the EU.

Branislav, a 53-year-old economist, disagreed and complained about the "injustice" of the 27-nation bloc towards Serbia.

"It is an obvious simplification to think that only the pensioners, villagers and uneducated are opposed to the European Union," he said.

"A large part of Serbia's population is unhappy with it, including those who perfectly know the EU and its politics," he added.

But 45-year-old bank clerk Dragana Milic disagreed, saying Serbs should "show clear support for a better future."

"My children will have a chance that I have not, to live as all other nations in Europe," she said.

Stana Lincic, a 68-year-old pensioner, said "Kosovo is important" to her.

"But what is more important is to live better, to see my children employed and happy, to have a better pension so I can afford gifts for my grandchildren without fears how to survive till next month," she said.

Unemployed economist Zoran Perkovic, 29, said he was angry with politicians for making Serbia "hostage to Kosovo."

"They only talk about Kosovo and how to preserve it, but nobody talks about us who live in the rest of Serbia," he complained.

"For the sake of 100,000 Serbs the rest of 6.5 million should give up their lives and give up Europe. This is not fair," he said, adding he wanted pro-European forces to "join ranks and make clear progress towards the EU and better outlook for all of us."

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