"Early elections in Serbia not ruled out"

BELGRADE The media in Belgrade are reporting on Thursday that the possibility of holding early parliamentary elections in Serbia has not been ruled out. Early elections would be held "if there was no agreement on the reconstruction of the government," according to several reports. "Early elections in Serbia not ruled out" Unless the SPS and the URS are ready to make "strong personnel cuts that have already been prepared by the Progressives (SNS) in their ranks," it is possible that the planned reshuffle will fail, write newspapers. If this happens, early parliamentary elections will take place in September, says Vecernnje Novosti, while the tabloid Kurir claims that the cabinet will not be "reconstructed" unless the Socialists (SPS) and the SNS reach agreement on "swapping ministries." According to this newspaper, a definite outcome may be known in the next two days, as it is expected that by then SPS leader and PM Ivica Dacic will respond to the "offer" reportedly made by the Progressives - that his party should "give the SNS three for three ministries." "The tension within the ruling parties, especially among the ministers who have been publicly marked for dismissal, is increasing each day. The culmination could take place this weekend when it is expected that the Progressives may disclose a list of officials who will have to leave their positions," writes Vecernje Novosti. After that, it is expected that next week Ivica Dacic and Mladjan Dinkic will respond to "the challenge" and go public with the names of their people who have not produced satisfactory results in the first year of the current cabinet, the paper said. First Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the SNS Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that the reconstruction process will be much "more serious than it looks." Thus, while the Progressives are about to replace ministers Goran Knezevic, Bratislav Petkovic and Alisa Maric, as well as dozens of lower-ranking government officials and directors of public companies, the Socialists and Dinkic's URS "are still keeping their cards close to the chest." SPS parliament group head MP Branko Ruzic told Vecernje Novosti that the Socialists will wrap up the talks about the government reshuffle by July 17. Marko Selakovic, an URS spokesman, told the newspaper that the reconstruction process "did not advance much from the last meeting of party leaders," held last weekend. Parliament Speaker and SNS official Nebojsa Stefanovic stated on Wednesday that, should there be an agreement on the reshuffle, MPs will vote on it probably in the last week of July, when the newly appointed ministers should "pass through the parliamentary procedure." The current Serbian cabinet in session (Tanjug, file) Tanjug Vecernje novosti Kurir

"Early elections in Serbia not ruled out"

Unless the SPS and the URS are ready to make "strong personnel cuts that have already been prepared by the Progressives (SNS) in their ranks," it is possible that the planned reshuffle will fail, write newspapers.

If this happens, early parliamentary elections will take place in September, says Večernnje Novosti, while the tabloid Kurir claims that the cabinet will not be "reconstructed" unless the Socialists (SPS) and the SNS reach agreement on "swapping ministries."

According to this newspaper, a definite outcome may be known in the next two days, as it is expected that by then SPS leader and PM Ivica Dačić will respond to the "offer" reportedly made by the Progressives - that his party should "give the SNS three for three ministries."

"The tension within the ruling parties, especially among the ministers who have been publicly marked for dismissal, is increasing each day. The culmination could take place this weekend when it is expected that the Progressives may disclose a list of officials who will have to leave their positions," writes Večernje Novosti.

After that, it is expected that next week Ivica Dačić and Mlađan Dinkić will respond to "the challenge" and go public with the names of their people who have not produced satisfactory results in the first year of the current cabinet, the paper said.

First Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the SNS Aleksandar Vučić said on Wednesday that the reconstruction process will be much "more serious than it looks."

Thus, while the Progressives are about to replace ministers Goran Knežević, Bratislav Petković and Alisa Marić, as well as dozens of lower-ranking government officials and directors of public companies, the Socialists and Dinkić's URS "are still keeping their cards close to the chest."

SPS parliament group head MP Branko Ružić told Večernje Novosti that the Socialists will wrap up the talks about the government reshuffle by July 17.

Marko Selaković, an URS spokesman, told the newspaper that the reconstruction process "did not advance much from the last meeting of party leaders," held last weekend.

Parliament Speaker and SNS official Nebojša Stefanović stated on Wednesday that, should there be an agreement on the reshuffle, MPs will vote on it probably in the last week of July, when the newly appointed ministers should "pass through the parliamentary procedure."