President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić began consultations on the prime minister-designate for the formation of the new government at the Palace of Serbia shortly after 8 AM.
Vučić first met with the representative of the Russian Party, Slobodan Nikolić. At around 9 AM, a meeting commenced between President Vučić and representatives of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, led by party president Balint Pastor.
As previously announced, Vučić is also set to meet today with representatives of the Usame Zukorlić – United for Justice – Justice and Reconciliation Party – Bosniaks of Sandžak list, Tomislav Žigmanov – Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina, and the “We – The Voice of the People” parliamentary group.
On Monday, Vučić stated that he had sent a letter to all electoral list leaders and parliamentary groups in the National Assembly of Serbia, and that five or six lists had signed up to participate in consultations, which, he noted, will be concluded by Friday. He added that following the discussions, he expects the largest parliamentary group – SNS to inform him whether they intend to form a government or prefer new elections. What is certain, according to him, is that there is no willingness within the party to accept any kind of transitional government, a stance with which he agrees.
On March 19, the National Assembly acknowledged the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, officially ending the mandate of the government. The deadline for forming a new government expires at midnight on April 18. According to Article 127 of the Serbian Constitution, the President of the Republic nominates a candidate for Prime Minister after consultations with elected parliamentary lists.
Article 15 of the Law on Government states that the National Assembly elects the government based on the proposal of the prime minister-designate, and the government is considered elected if it receives the votes of a majority of all members of parliament. Miloš Vučević, the acting Prime Minister and SNS leader, previously stated that he supports the election of a new government, but that new elections cannot be ruled out. He emphasized the need for a new government with fresh faces, renewed energy, and the ability to stabilize the country, work on economic recovery, strengthening state institutions, and initiating social dialogue.
The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) confirmed that its coalition will participate in consultations with Vučić. In a statement, they announced that their Presidency unanimously decided to continue cooperation with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and Aleksandar Vučić, expressing readiness to engage in discussions regarding the formation and election of the new government.
However, a segment of the parliamentary opposition has declined Vučić’s invitation for consultations, stating they would only discuss a transitional government. In a joint statement, signed by the Party of Freedom and Justice, People’s Movement of Serbia, New Democratic Party of Serbia, POKS, Free Citizens’ Movement, Serbia Center Party (SRCE), and the Green-Left Front, they declared that “the only way forward for Serbia is fulfilling students’ demands” and the peaceful transition of power through “fair elections”, which, they believe, should be organized by a transitional government.
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According to some media reports, the Democratic Party and the Ecological Uprising movement will not participate in the consultations, with representatives of the latter claiming they never even received an invitation.
Additionally, the “We, the Strength of the People” parliamentary group, led by Branimir Nestorović, has also refused to attend the consultations, stating that “elections must be called as soon as possible”. Shaip Kamberi, an MP representing the Albanian national minority, announced on Facebook that, on behalf of his “The Political Battle of Albanians Continues – Shaip Kamberi” electoral list, he had sent a letter to President Vučić, informing him that they would not participate in the government formation consultations.
If by midnight on April 18, when the 30-day constitutional deadline for selecting a new Prime Minister and government members expires, a new government is not elected, the President of Serbia is obligated to dissolve the National Assembly and call elections.
According to Article 59 of the Law on the Election of MPs, elections are called by the President of the Republic, and the decision takes effect on the day it is published in the “Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia”. Additionally, Article 60 stipulates that the election must take place no sooner than 45 days and no later than 60 days after the announcement, meaning the legal timeframe for elections would place them on June 8 or June 15.
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Source: Euronews; Foto: ATA Images