Ex-minister leaves LDP caucus

DHSS President Vladan Batic announced on Tuesday in Belgrade that he has left the LDP parliamentary caucus. The Demo-Christian Party of Serbia (DHSS) leader was elected to the current parliament on the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) ticket in May this year. Ex-minister leaves LDP caucus Batic will now assume the role of an independent lawmaker, while the LDP caucus will number 12 instead of 13 members. The DHSS leader and former justice minister in the Djindjic cabinet told reporters today that this move was motivated by his desire to more adequately promote his party's ideas, stances and principles. He also denied any rift with the LDP, and said cooperation with that party, "with which we share our fundamental political values", would continue. Batic added that while the LDP had joined the Liberal International, the DHSS was returning to the European People's Party. These, he explained, are the issues that forced the two political parties "to go their separate ways". Asked whether he was considering cooperation with Vuk Draskovic's Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), Batic said that while discussions on the subject are yet to take place, "SPO is one of a few parties of the true European right-wing". Batic also commented on his forthcoming activities in parliament, and revealed that the DHSS would in the coming days present its draft resolutions on denationalization of property, and the partition of Kosovo. Reacting to Batic's announcement today, LDP leader Cedomir Jovanovic told journalist at the parliament building that his party's membership in the association of the European liberal-democratic parties obligates it to respect the rules, which prevent members from forming coalitions that include parties of different ideological profiles. Jovanovic pointed out that the DHSS is a conservative party, and said this was the reason for Batic's decision to leave the LDP parliamentary caucus.

Ex-minister leaves LDP caucus

Batić will now assume the role of an independent lawmaker, while the LDP caucus will number 12 instead of 13 members.

The DHSS leader and former justice minister in the Đinđić cabinet told reporters today that this move was motivated by his desire to more adequately promote his party's ideas, stances and principles.

He also denied any rift with the LDP, and said cooperation with that party, "with which we share our fundamental political values", would continue.

Batić added that while the LDP had joined the Liberal International, the DHSS was returning to the European People's Party. These, he explained, are the issues that forced the two political parties "to go their separate ways".

Asked whether he was considering cooperation with Vuk Drašković's Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), Batić said that while discussions on the subject are yet to take place, "SPO is one of a few parties of the true European right-wing".

Batić also commented on his forthcoming activities in parliament, and revealed that the DHSS would in the coming days present its draft resolutions on denationalization of property, and the partition of Kosovo.

Reacting to Batić's announcement today, LDP leader Čedomir Jovanović told journalist at the parliament building that his party's membership in the association of the European liberal-democratic parties obligates it to respect the rules, which prevent members from forming coalitions that include parties of different ideological profiles.

Jovanović pointed out that the DHSS is a conservative party, and said this was the reason for Batić's decision to leave the LDP parliamentary caucus.