Uncertain which current ministers will leave cabinet

Uncertain which current ministers will leave cabinet

It will be led by current Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, but it is still not known who will be its members. As Vucic, the leader of the Progressives (SNS) has said, he is "dedicated to writing the program, while he does not wish to talk about the names much."

The media are also stingy on this point, with reports mostly dedicated to who will be left out of the government, and rarely about potential new candidates for ministerial positions.

Vucic told B92 at the final pre-election convention of the SNS that a new government would see "major changes," at the same time describing his cabinet's policy as "good."

Over the weekend the leader of SNS todl Blic he would replace "at least six ministers."

This picture could become somewhat clearer if in the coming days one of the key post-election issues is finally resolved -namely, whether the Socialists (SPS) will be included.

In the outgoing government they held three ministries - agriculture, energy, and foreign affairs, the latter headed by SPS leader Ivica Dacic, who was also Vucic's first deputy.

According to the latest indications from the SNS and the statement of its official Nebojsa Stefanovic, it is possible that these three are among the "at least six" mentioned by Vucic.

Others could include Minister of Education Srdjan Verbic, who announced his resignation after a competition for science research projects was annulled, and Velimir Ilic and Zlatibor Loncar, about whose departure the media have already reported.

There has also been speculation that ministers of Information and Culture (Ivan Tasovac) and Youth and Sports (Vanja Udovicic) would be left out.

Actor Miki Manojlovic is mentioned as Tasovac's replacement, while tennis coach Bogdan Obradovic, who was high on the electoral list of the SNS, and a person who often appeared in the campaign, could replace Udovicic.

Media reports also said that Ivan Vejvoda would replace Ivica Dacic, but according to what B92 has been able to learn, this will not happen.

The post of minister of defense is also uncertain, held now, perhaps only temporarily, by Zoran Djordjevic, who was appointed after the long-drawn out dismissal of Bratislav Gasic.

he Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti writes that Rasim Ljajic, Aleksandar Vulin, Nebojsa Stefanovic, Nikola Selakovic, Dusan Vujovic, Zeljko Sertic, Kori Udovicki and Jadranka Joksimovic will most likely remain in the cabinet.

However, it is not certain they will all hold the same positions as until now.