Serbian PM vows to resign, hold elections soon

In response to the opposition’s demand for early parliamentary and Belgrade elections, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić expressed the hope they would be held as quickly as possible.

Brnabić said that she is willing to resign but did not specify a timeline for the elections. “We are always prepared for elections. As for the former prime minister, I think it’s better to have elections sooner rather than later because Serbia cannot afford to waste time.”

“I’m not sure how the opposition has changed its stance from threatening protests if early parliamentary elections were called, but now they want them, which is great. It seems we have come to the same conclusion,” said Brnabić.

Parties in the ruling coalition are also ready for elections, with the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) standing out among them. Ivica Dačić, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister from the SPS, stated that he opposes frequent elections but has no objection to accommodating those certain to lose in these elections.

“Whenever the elections will be held, and I don’t know when they will be, whether in the next few months or the first few months of next year, it doesn’t matter,” said Dačić.

The opposition is also unified regarding elections, both pro-European and right-wing parties.

“We believe that early parliamentary and Belgrade elections to be held by the end of this year are the only way for our society to emerge from this significant crisis and demand an urgent response from Aleksandar Vučić,” was heard in the parliamentary hall from the pro-European opposition on Thursday.

Leaders of the right-wing block share the same opinion as their counterparts. The NADA coalition calls for elections at all levels and is open to cooperation, primarily with the right-wing bloc — Zavetnici and Dveri.

“For the past eight to nine months, we have been advocating, demanding, and calling for both the removal of Aleksandar Vučić and early elections at all levels. When I say at all levels, it includes parliamentary elections as well as the crucial Belgrade elections, which, incidentally, Aleksandar Vučić promised would be held,” emphasised Miloš Jovanović, NADA coalition.

(Jelena Jevtić/EURACTIV.rs)