Ruling SNS party does not rule out elections

BELGRADE Parliament Speaker and SNS Vice-President Nebojsa Stefanovic says the upcoming weekend will be crucial "for the continuation of the government." "We're not in the mood for elections because it would slow down reforms and our European integration, but as a party we do not exclude this possibility. If we cannot make that deal for Serbia to move faster, it is better to go to the polls," he told RTS. Ruling SNS party does not rule out elections Stefanovic, however, added that he was "confident" that agreement will be reached among the ruling coalition partners because, as he said, "responsible people who understand the moment" sit in the government. "If we do not change the economic situation and Serbia does not go faster it will not be good for any of our country," said he. "Responsibility of all the members of the coalition is important, to see what all the ministers have done and what they could have done better," he noted, adding the SNS will announce at the central committee meeting on July 26 the names of its ministers who will be replaced. He responded to claims by coalition partners that the SNS would replace the ministers of sport and culture while demanding of them to make changes in more important ministries by saying the SNS's coalition partners could not know what the central committee's decisions would be and who would get replaced. "We do not want our coalition partners to replace their people with the ones we suggest, but with those who will work faster and better," he underscored. "SNS President Aleksandar Vucic promised that the decision on replacing some ministers will be made by July 27, and it will be so," Stefanovic stated. After the decision, it will take another 5-6 days for the parliament to verify it, he explained. The government coalition is led by the SNS, Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) and United Regions of Serbia. (URS). (Beta, file) RTS Tanjug

Ruling SNS party does not rule out elections

Stefanović, however, added that he was "confident" that agreement will be reached among the ruling coalition partners because, as he said, "responsible people who understand the moment" sit in the government.

"If we do not change the economic situation and Serbia does not go faster it will not be good for any of our country," said he.

"Responsibility of all the members of the coalition is important, to see what all the ministers have done and what they could have done better," he noted, adding the SNS will announce at the central committee meeting on July 26 the names of its ministers who will be replaced.

He responded to claims by coalition partners that the SNS would replace the ministers of sport and culture while demanding of them to make changes in more important ministries by saying the SNS's coalition partners could not know what the central committee's decisions would be and who would get replaced.

"We do not want our coalition partners to replace their people with the ones we suggest, but with those who will work faster and better," he underscored.

"SNS President Aleksandar Vučić promised that the decision on replacing some ministers will be made by July 27, and it will be so," Stefanović stated.

After the decision, it will take another 5-6 days for the parliament to verify it, he explained.

The government coalition is led by the SNS, Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) and United Regions of Serbia. (URS).