"Socialists would be least bad partner in new cabinet"

"Socialists would be least bad partner in new cabinet"

According to the Belgrade-based daily Danas that she spoke for, Mihajlovic also "ruled out speculation that there are certain outside pressures on Vucica regarding the composition of his new government."

"It is also known that Vucic does not tolerate pressures, especially those to choose someone as a minister. The PM-designate has said that a new government will be elected as soon as possible and certainly within the legal deadline," said Mihajlovic.

Asked whether the LDP and its leader Cedomir Jovanovic will join Serbia's new cabinet, Mihajlovic said she was yet to see any concrete proposal as to how the LDP would help in that role.

"But what I did see is everyone offering to join the government," said Mihajlovic, who until recently held the position of one of the ruling SNS party's vice presidents.

As for "speculation about whether the Socialists (SPS) will again be coalition partners to the SNS," she said this was SNS leader Aleksandar Vucic's decision to make.

"Whether, to what extent and with how many ministers the SPS will participate in the government will be decided by the PM-designate, and he will present a list of all (future) ministers to the top levels of the SNS. But, despite all the justified criticism that I and my colleagues have presented at the expense of the SPS, the Socialists are the least bad partner of all parties," said Mihajlovic.

The minister also expects to continue in her current role in the government.

"The results of the three departments that I head are evident to citizens: we have introduced electronic building permits, passed a law on legalization, built almost 100 kilometers of highway, rebuilt more than 200 kilometers of roads and railway lines. We have initiated the issues of women's rights, protection of the Roma... and more remains to be done," said Mihajlovic.

"No interest whatsoever"

Prime Minister-designate Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday he would form a new government within the shortest possible timeframe and pursuant to the law, adding that he was working on its program and composition.

Speaking to Prva TV during a day of one-on-one meetings with citizens, Vucic said they had expressed no interest whatsoever in when the government would be formed.

"But had they asked me, I would have said that I am working hard on the program and the composition of the new government and that we will finish the work within the shortest possible timeframe and as possibilities allow," Vucic said.