Opposition: New economy minister as PM's puppet

Opposition: New economy minister as PM's puppet

"We believe that it is not normal for a parliamentary democracy to elect four economy ministers in two years, three ministers of agriculture, three finance ministers and three ministers of education. It is the ultimate proof of incompetence and instability of the state," he said.

Commenting Sertić's career, Stefanović said that he was someone who graduated late from Union University, and is a member of the ruling SNS who owns two companies, "both of which are blocked."

"These are some details from his biography, which does not inspire confidence that this is a man who will be able to solve the current disastrous state of the economy, which is reflected in the largest deficit in Europe, rising unemployment and lack of investments, and in that more than 200,000 business entities that are choking due to the imposed taxes," said Stefanović.

According to him, the DS wants minister of economy to be a person of political integrity who will make decisions independently and act quickly.

"We have clear concrete proposals for that, but they do not hear us because they cannot get to do anything as they are being replaced so rapidly, which, unfortunately, we predict for Sertić as well. It is certain that in this government, there is only one minister, and it is (Aleksandar) Vučić, all the others are his advisers. He is the one who conducts the economic, tax, and every other kind of business policy," commented Stefanović.

According to him, Sertić "does not understand the fundamental problem of the Serbian economy, and that is lack of liquidity, inability to collect revenues, and abnormal increase of taxes and duties."

Parliament is expected to vote on Wednesday on the proposal sent by PM Aleksandar Vučić to elect Sertić, now serving as president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, as the country's new economy minister.

Opposition MPs announced that they will not support this proposal, describing him as "just another puppet in the hands of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić."

Opposition New Party (NS) leader Zoran Živković told reporters today that Sertić has "neither professional nor political qualifications" for the job.

"We have a million entrepreneurs like Sertić. He is a member of the Serb Progressive Party, but not even a prominent member. What Vučić wants with this proposal is to continue to hold all the strings in his hands," said Živković.

He added that the Serbian economy is in a very difficult situation, with high unemployment rate and a "historic" debt level amounting to EUR 21 billion, and asked "whether Sertić will be able to carry that on his back."

League of the Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV) MP Đorđe Stojšić said that his party will not support Sertić, adding that "the public debt is too high" and that this would be one of the biggest challenges for the new minister.

Before the start of the session, deputies from the New Democratic Party (NDS) left the assembly hall unhappy that the proposal to elect Sertić was presented by Foreign Minister and First Deputy PM Ivica Dačić, and not Vučić.

DS and NS deputies said they were in agreement with their colleagues from the NDS who said it was not legal for Dačić to make the presentation, but added that "someone from the opposition must remain in parliament to express objections."

The ruling coalition has the necessary majority to elect Sertić as the country's new minister of economy.