Serbia PM to Hire Former Tony Blair Ally

Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reported on Monday that Serbian Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic is to offer veteran British politician Mandelson an advisory contract.

“He’s is one of the brightest guys I’ve ever met,” said Vucic, according to the Daily Mail.

“Mandelson is the best motivator I’ve ever seen in my life. Some people would say he’s on the dark side, but he has a very strong, unbeatable personality, you cannot frighten him, he’s very influential, he can have a real impact,” he said.

Mandelson served in various ministerial roles under British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his successor Gordon Brown, and was also European Commissioner for Trade for four years.

Blair, who recently carried out similar advisory work in Albania, helping Tirana achieve EU candidate status, also visted Serbia earlier this month, sparking speculation that Belgrade might also offer him a  consultancy role.

But Vucic dismissed the idea. “He’s too expensive,” he told the Daily Mail.

Blair’s spokesman confirmed this: “There is no project in, or contract with, Serbia,” he said.

Blair has a history of close involvement with the Balkans, stemming from his role in the 78-day NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia in the 1999 Kosovo War.

Recent visits to Serbia and Romania have also demonstrated Blair’s interest in the region.