JS calls for suspension of talks with SRS, DSS

United Serbia (JS) leader Dragan Markovic will call on the Socialists to break off talks with the SRS and DSS over forming a new government. Markovic, himself best known as Palma, told Palma Plus TV that he would be calling for a suspension because of the conflicting views over the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). JS calls for suspension of talks with SRS, DSS "I will call on [Socialist Party of Serbia leader] Ivica Dacic today to break off talks until issues surrounding the SAA have been resolved, as that's the most important matter in terms of investment and job creation," said the JS leader. "I want to point out that the Zastava trade union is coming to Jagodina on Friday, and they have told me that if the SAA is annulled, the Italians will cancel the memorandum signed for Kragujevac's, Sumadije's and Serbia's futures," he warned. Markovic added that he hoped that "Messrs Krkobabic and Dacic feel the same way, and that we should begin talks with the Democratic Party (DS)." Meanwhile, DS leader Boris Tadic said he would begin consultations in the capacity of president with representatives of all party lists that have MPs imminently. Tadic hopes that a democratic, pro-European government will be formed as quickly as possible that will “defend national interests and the principle of social justice.“ “I’m ready to assume my share of the responsibility,“ he stressed, adding that even though the constitutional deadline was 90 days, he hoped that a government would be formed sooner. The president was speaking to journalists in Bulgaria where he is taking part in the South-East Europe Cooperation Process summit. Dragan Markovic (Beta, archive) SRS, DSS waiting for SPS's answer Earlier, the Serb Radical Party (SRS), the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and New Serbia (NS) said that they had agreed to form a coalition in Belgrade. The three parties are now expecting the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) to join them, giving them the required majority to form a local government. The SPS is waiting on a decision from the party’s presidency. The party’s executive committee met last night and accepted the coalition agreement. According to SRS deputy leader Tomislav Nikolic, the work is over as far as the Radicals are concerned, and the deal can be sealed very soon. Nikolic said that an agreement between the SRS and the DSS-NS had been reached, and that it was up to the Socialists to decide if it would join their ranks. “We have also, in the meantime, drafted a coalition agreement at state level and confirmed it. We agreed on all the points of the agreement,” he said. “I think that it is time for SPS to speak up, because we, SRS and DSS officials, have clearly stated that we are ready to completely tie up the agreement,” Nikolic said. “The SPS coalition is now left to think where their interests lie, and finally get an answer as to whether we’ll have this government,” the SRS deputy leader explained. Nikolic expects a constitutive session of parliament to be held next week, after which the parties will name a candidate for prime minister. G17 Plus leader Mladjan Dinkic, talking about the new government, said that he expected it to be formed by the end of June. “After the publication of the final election results, I expect the Serbian president, in accordance with the Constitution, to invite all list leaders for consultations, and to decide who will be given the mandate to form the new government,” said Dinkic. “What the DSS and the Radicals are intending to create after the parliamentary and provincial elections, I am convinced will remain a 'shadow coalition' both at state and provincial level. Let them cooperate as they wish in opposition, it is important that Vojvodina does not allow Serbia and Vojvodina’s European path to be halted,” he stressed.

JS calls for suspension of talks with SRS, DSS

"I will call on [Socialist Party of Serbia leader] Ivica Dačić today to break off talks until issues surrounding the SAA have been resolved, as that's the most important matter in terms of investment and job creation," said the JS leader.

"I want to point out that the Zastava trade union is coming to Jagodina on Friday, and they have told me that if the SAA is annulled, the Italians will cancel the memorandum signed for Kragujevac's, Šumadije's and Serbia's futures," he warned.

Marković added that he hoped that "Messrs Krkobabić and Dačić feel the same way, and that we should begin talks with the Democratic Party (DS)."

Meanwhile, DS leader Boris Tadić said he would begin consultations in the capacity of president with representatives of all party lists that have MPs imminently.

Tadić hopes that a democratic, pro-European government will be formed as quickly as possible that will “defend national interests and the principle of social justice.“

“I’m ready to assume my share of the responsibility,“ he stressed, adding that even though the constitutional deadline was 90 days, he hoped that a government would be formed sooner.

The president was speaking to journalists in Bulgaria where he is taking part in the South-East Europe Cooperation Process summit.

SRS, DSS waiting for SPS's answer

Earlier, the Serb Radical Party (SRS), the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and New Serbia (NS) said that they had agreed to form a coalition in Belgrade.

The three parties are now expecting the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) to join them, giving them the required majority to form a local government.

The SPS is waiting on a decision from the party’s presidency. The party’s executive committee met last night and accepted the coalition agreement.

According to SRS deputy leader Tomislav Nikolić, the work is over as far as the Radicals are concerned, and the deal can be sealed very soon.

Nikolić said that an agreement between the SRS and the DSS-NS had been reached, and that it was up to the Socialists to decide if it would join their ranks.

“We have also, in the meantime, drafted a coalition agreement at state level and confirmed it. We agreed on all the points of the agreement,” he said.

“I think that it is time for SPS to speak up, because we, SRS and DSS officials, have clearly stated that we are ready to completely tie up the agreement,” Nikolić said.

“The SPS coalition is now left to think where their interests lie, and finally get an answer as to whether we’ll have this government,” the SRS deputy leader explained.

Nikolić expects a constitutive session of parliament to be held next week, after which the parties will name a candidate for prime minister.

G17 Plus leader Mlađan Dinkić, talking about the new government, said that he expected it to be formed by the end of June.

“After the publication of the final election results, I expect the Serbian president, in accordance with the Constitution, to invite all list leaders for consultations, and to decide who will be given the mandate to form the new government,” said Dinkić.

“What the DSS and the Radicals are intending to create after the parliamentary and provincial elections, I am convinced will remain a 'shadow coalition' both at state and provincial level. Let them cooperate as they wish in opposition, it is important that Vojvodina does not allow Serbia and Vojvodina’s European path to be halted,” he stressed.