Cvetković officially takes over reins

New Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic (DS) has today officially moved into the office of his predecessor Vojislav Kostunica. In a low-key ceremony, Cvetkovic, who was finance minister in the previous government, and Kostunica exchanged a few brief words. The official handover of power was also attended by the two men's chief advisers--Mirjana Jovasevic and Aleksandar Nikitovic, respectively. Cvetkovic officially takes over reins Last night, the new prime minister and the 27 members of his cabinet took their oaths before MPs that was read out by Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS). The prime minister’s oath read as follows: “I swear my loyalty to the Republic of Serbia, and on my honor, I pledge to respect the Constitution and the law, that I will carry out my duty as a member of the government conscientiously, responsibly and devotedly, and I will be dedicated to preserving Kosovo and Metohija within the Republic of Serbia.” 127 MPs voted for the new government, and of the new ruling coalition, only United Serbia (JS) leader Dragan Markovic was absent from the hall, as he was in Koncarevo, attending a village festival. Shortly before the election of the new government, Cvetkovic responded to the numerous criticisms emanating from the ranks of the opposition, calling them “ideas“ and “inspirational discussions“. The government’s members and manifesto were adopted via a public ballot. The new government’s basic goals that Cvetkovic enumerated in his statement were European integration, defense of Kosovo, strengthening the economy and social responsibility, stepping up the struggle against corruption and crime, and fulfilling international commitments. This is the 11th government elected since the introduction of the multi-party system in 1990. The Socialists are back in power for the first time in eight years, while the Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus formed part of the last government. In terms of size, the new cabinet with 24 ministries, one minister without portfolio, and four deputy prime ministers, is slightly bigger than its predecessor. The new ministries are the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, and the Ministry for the National Investment Plan, while the other ministries remain the same, although some of their powers have been altered. Mirko Cvetkovic, Vojislav Kostunica (Beta) "Modernization is fundamental aim" President Boris Tadic said late on Monday that the reform and modernization of society, as the basic goal of the new government, could only be achieved if the government was united over its joint principles and system of values. “Membership in the European Union is only a formal goal of the new government, but the basic aim is reform and modernization of society,” Tadic said in an interview with Tanjug, following the formation of the new cabinet. “In order to do all this, we have to change our system of values, so that there are no more confrontations or divisions, and so that we are united in achieving our joint goals,” the president continued. He explained that this did not mean eliminating differences of opinion or suppressing democracy. “On the contrary, this means strengthening democratic institutions, making Serbia a modern European society,” Tadic explained. The new government's effectiveness would depend, according to the president, on whether those in government would work as a team and accept joint values. He said that he would have preferred a smaller government, as formal prerequisites could have been set for its efficiency. However, the “number of ministers and deputy prime ministers in government does not have to represent an obstacle to the body's efficiency if it is organized properly,” he concluded.

Cvetković officially takes over reins

Last night, the new prime minister and the 27 members of his cabinet took their oaths before MPs that was read out by Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS).

The prime minister’s oath read as follows: “I swear my loyalty to the Republic of Serbia, and on my honor, I pledge to respect the Constitution and the law, that I will carry out my duty as a member of the government conscientiously, responsibly and devotedly, and I will be dedicated to preserving Kosovo and Metohija within the Republic of Serbia.”

127 MPs voted for the new government, and of the new ruling coalition, only United Serbia (JS) leader Dragan Marković was absent from the hall, as he was in Končarevo, attending a village festival.

Shortly before the election of the new government, Cvetković responded to the numerous criticisms emanating from the ranks of the opposition, calling them “ideas“ and “inspirational discussions“.

The government’s members and manifesto were adopted via a public ballot.

The new government’s basic goals that Cvetković enumerated in his statement were European integration, defense of Kosovo, strengthening the economy and social responsibility, stepping up the struggle against corruption and crime, and fulfilling international commitments.

This is the 11th government elected since the introduction of the multi-party system in 1990.

The Socialists are back in power for the first time in eight years, while the Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus formed part of the last government.

In terms of size, the new cabinet with 24 ministries, one minister without portfolio, and four deputy prime ministers, is slightly bigger than its predecessor.

The new ministries are the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, and the Ministry for the National Investment Plan, while the other ministries remain the same, although some of their powers have been altered.

"Modernization is fundamental aim"

President Boris Tadić said late on Monday that the reform and modernization of society, as the basic goal of the new government, could only be achieved if the government was united over its joint principles and system of values.

“Membership in the European Union is only a formal goal of the new government, but the basic aim is reform and modernization of society,” Tadić said in an interview with Tanjug, following the formation of the new cabinet.

“In order to do all this, we have to change our system of values, so that there are no more confrontations or divisions, and so that we are united in achieving our joint goals,” the president continued.

He explained that this did not mean eliminating differences of opinion or suppressing democracy.

“On the contrary, this means strengthening democratic institutions, making Serbia a modern European society,” Tadić explained.

The new government's effectiveness would depend, according to the president, on whether those in government would work as a team and accept joint values.

He said that he would have preferred a smaller government, as formal prerequisites could have been set for its efficiency.

However, the “number of ministers and deputy prime ministers in government does not have to represent an obstacle to the body's efficiency if it is organized properly,” he concluded.