PM "starts procedure" to sack minister

Serbian PM Mirko Cvetkovic says he had "started the procedure" to dismiss one of his deputies and economy minister, Mladjan Dinkic. Cvetkovic announced in Belgrade on Monday that he also intended to sack Ministry of Finance State Secretary Slobodan Ilic, who recently publicly clashed with Dinkic. PM "starts procedure" to sack minister The decision will reach parliament as soon as possible, said the premier. "This morning I informed President Boris Tadic that the government was unable to function and that those who underminded its unity needed to be replaced," Cvetkovic told a news conference in Belgrade. He also noted that "in order to implement changes in 2011", his cabinet had to work in unison, and that the decision to sack Dinkic was not directed against his party, G17 Plus. Other ministers from the party would continue in their positions, said Cvetkovic, adding that he "did not expect the government to fall". "Ministers must be accountable for everything they say, and the government must be united," said Cvetkovic, and added that the decision on who will replace Dinkic would be taken in two weeks' time. Last week, Dinkic criticized Cvetkovic in the media and accused him of not making any decisions in his capacity as prime minister, allowing Boris Tadic to do so instead, and said the government had lost its authority. Once Cvetkovic's proposal to relieve Dinkic of his duties reaches parliament, MPs will debate and if their vote is in favor, they will also elect his successor with a simple majority of the legislative body's 250 members. Meanwhile, the G17 Plus announced that the party presidency would meet in Belgrade this afternoon to consider Cvetkovic's decisions. A file photo of Dinkic and Cvetkovic during a government session (FoNet)

PM "starts procedure" to sack minister

The decision will reach parliament as soon as possible, said the premier.

"This morning I informed President Boris Tadić that the government was unable to function and that those who underminded its unity needed to be replaced," Cvetković told a news conference in Belgrade.

He also noted that "in order to implement changes in 2011", his cabinet had to work in unison, and that the decision to sack Dinkić was not directed against his party, G17 Plus.

Other ministers from the party would continue in their positions, said Cvetković, adding that he "did not expect the government to fall".

"Ministers must be accountable for everything they say, and the government must be united," said Cvetković, and added that the decision on who will replace Dinkić would be taken in two weeks' time.

Last week, Dinkić criticized Cvetković in the media and accused him of not making any decisions in his capacity as prime minister, allowing Boris Tadić to do so instead, and said the government had lost its authority.

Once Cvetković's proposal to relieve Dinkić of his duties reaches parliament, MPs will debate and if their vote is in favor, they will also elect his successor with a simple majority of the legislative body's 250 members.

Meanwhile, the G17 Plus announced that the party presidency would meet in Belgrade this afternoon to consider Cvetković's decisions.