"Investors don't want Pensioner Party in new government"

"Investors don't want Pensioner Party in new government"

The United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) is a member of the pre-election coalition led by Ivica Dačić's Socialists (SPS).

According to the article, foreign investors and foreign business associations in Serbia - primarily from western countries - are concerned about the speculation in recent days that the PUPS could join a new government and that the party's officials could be given high positions in the Ministry of Labor, the newspaper was told by several diplomatic sources.

According to the article, foreigners in Serbia fear that the party would "hamper the adoption of key reform legislation, primarily to amend the existing Labor Law."

PUPS Vice President Momo Čolaković told the paper that he was not taking part in negotiations on a new government, and that only the party's deputy leader Milan Krkobabić can provide information on this subject.

"As for foreign investors, none of them have reason for concern about the PUPS entering the Serbian government, because we work in the interest of the poorest pensioners and workers and not against anybody," said Čolaković. When asked whether this means that the PUPS was ready for radical changes in the Labor Law, he said the party was "ready for changes in accordance with EU regulations".

Economist Ljubomir Madžar told the daily that the configuration of the new government, due to the election results and the dominance of one party, indicates that "coalition blackmail" will not be possible.

"One party will now have control over all departments. The PUPS, if it enters the government, can do damage only if the head of the government permits it. The fear of foreign investors, therefore, is not particularly justified because the main person who will be the master of the government will be closer to the policy pursued by Saša Radulović," explained Madžar.

Economist Aleksandar Stevanović also believes that the PUPS, if Aleksandar Vučić invites them to join his cabinet, will be "merely a toy, that is, a potential scapegoat." According to him, minor partners in the future government will not be able to do anything on their own, but will carry out the policy of the SNS.

SNS officials claim that the party is yet to have talks with potential coalition partners and that this will not happen until their leader Aleksandar Vučić has completed the drafting of his "government program and plan."

The SNS presidency will meet on Saturday and is expected to make "first decisions on the future ruling coalition."