PM "doesn't believe" early elections will be called

BELGRADE PM Ivica Dacic has said that a reshuffle of his cabinet "will certainly take place," and performance record "of each and every minister considered." In an interview for the Belgrade-based Informer tabloid, he explained this will be happening after June 28 and the EU's decision on a start date for Serbia's membership talks. PM "doesn't believe" early elections will be called “All ministries will be under scrutiny. I will also have to consider in detail what has been going on in the Interior Ministry,” Dacic said. According to him, the reshuffle will not only encompass ministers, but also state secretaries, directors of agencies. Asked whether early elections will be on the table, if the government reshuffle fails, Dacic says that he "does not believe" it will happen. “Elections would not be a good solution at the moment. But just for the record, I am not afraid of elections. I am sure that the coalition comprised of the Socialist Party of Serbia- Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Regions of Serbia (SPS-PUPS-URS) would win much more votes than it did last year. I just think that new elections would be bad for Serbia which now needs stability and economic recovery,” the prime minister said. Dacic also stated that on June 28, Serbia "ought to get a start date for EU accession talks." “If we do not get it now, I do not know whether we will get it at all, ever. If Serbia has not deserved it, I do not know who did,” Dacic was quoted as saying. Asked what would happen if Serbia were to get "the green light" only, Dacic responded: "Don't bring up those stories... We deserve a date and expect to get one. Any other solution is bad, for Serbia, and I'm afraid, also for the whole region." (Beta, file) Tanjug

PM "doesn't believe" early elections will be called

“All ministries will be under scrutiny. I will also have to consider in detail what has been going on in the Interior Ministry,” Dačić said.

According to him, the reshuffle will not only encompass ministers, but also state secretaries, directors of agencies.

Asked whether early elections will be on the table, if the government reshuffle fails, Dačić says that he "does not believe" it will happen.

“Elections would not be a good solution at the moment. But just for the record, I am not afraid of elections. I am sure that the coalition comprised of the Socialist Party of Serbia- Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Regions of Serbia (SPS-PUPS-URS) would win much more votes than it did last year. I just think that new elections would be bad for Serbia which now needs stability and economic recovery,” the prime minister said.

Dačić also stated that on June 28, Serbia "ought to get a start date for EU accession talks."

“If we do not get it now, I do not know whether we will get it at all, ever. If Serbia has not deserved it, I do not know who did,” Dačić was quoted as saying.

Asked what would happen if Serbia were to get "the green light" only, Dačić responded: "Don't bring up those stories... We deserve a date and expect to get one. Any other solution is bad, for Serbia, and I'm afraid, also for the whole region."