Vucic: Dacic to decide if he is in opposition or in power

Vucic: Dacic to decide if he is in opposition or in power

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says for Blic that Ivica Dacic has to decide by himself if his SPS shall be a part of the ruling coalition or move to opposition.

This is what the Prime Minister said at the Government’s session held on Wednesday after statements by the SPS official Branko Ruzic in which he criticized the Government and Vucic for change of police chiefs-of-staff but also because of the Prime Minister’s conflict with some foreign ambassadors. Later, Milutin Mrkonjic supported Ruzic’s criticism.

- I made it clear to Ivica Dacic that I was not to tolerate such behavior by his officials. As a ruling coalition we cannot function like that. Exceptionally difficult reforms are ahead of us and the Government must be united to carry out them successfully. I also told Dacic that he could not occupy two chairs and that he should decide by himself whether he shall be a part of the ruling coalition or of the opposition. Both are not possible – Vucic said.

He adds that the SNS has not deserved at all that some of the SPS officials behave as they do.

We asked the Prime Minister how Dacic had reacted to his criticism.
- He did not react at all. He kept silent – Vucic replied.

Vladimir Goati, the Transparency Serbia President says that Vucic is actually insisting on coalition discipline which is necessary for both political parties in a coalition and for a coalition itself.

- I suppose that in this case the SPS shall suffer no consequences, but certain limits and red lines have been set. The socialists prefer being in power rather than insisting on having the last say. So I am expecting...