Dačić does not rule out DS-SNS coalition

Ivica Dacic has said he does not rule out the possibility of a government formed by the Democratic Party (DS) and the Serb Progressive Party (SNS). The leader of the Socialists (SPS) and deputy PM and interior minister in the current government added "it would make him happy", as being the opposition to such a government "would double the rating of his party". Dacic does not rule out DS-SNS coalition In an interview for the Monday edition of the Belgrade-based daily Blic, Dacic said his party is not responsible for the low living standard, because it only made up 7.6 percent of the government, and added he is satisfied with his relationship with Serbian President Boris Tadic "who personally takes responsibility for the mistakes of his party." Dacic said Serbia needs economic development, justice and "a sure hand which can firmly hold the steering wheel of the country." He also said it is tragic that 11 years after the democratic changes, less than 50 percent of the population supports EU accession, despite the fact it would bring Serbia major economic benefits. To the comment that he is seen by his party colleagues as the ideal candidate for the prime minister's seat, Dacic said it is a question whether the position would even suit him. He said that even though DS leader Boris Tadic and SNS leader Tomislav Nikolic have told him a coalition between their two parties is impossible, he does not rule out the possibility and that in this case, he would be in the opposition. "As pretentious as it sounds, the government cannot be formed without the coalition of the SPS, United Serbia and the United Pensioners of Serbia, unless the DS and the SNS come together. But even that would not be a problem for us, it would even make me happy. It would be an ideal opportunity to double our rating, because we would be the opposition to such a government," Dacic said. Asked if he supports the referendum in northern Kosovo, Dacic said it would be very bad if Belgrade and Kosovo Serbs continued with different policies and disharmony. In his estimate, getting candidate status for EU membership would not greatly affect election results, but the opposite could seriously hurt the DS. "Europe - as much as possible, but not at all costs. This is legitimate, because every country in Europe does this," Dacic concluded. Ivica Dacic (Tanjug) "Serbians trust police" Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that the police offers a sense of security and protection to the Serbian people and reminded this is great progress for a service which was a symbol of repression for a long time but has now reached a very high rating in Europe. Pointing out in an interview for Tanjug that he became interior minister by chance, but that as "a policeman's child" he wanted to improve the status and restore the good standing of the police, Dacic said the thing that makes him happiest is that the police is among the top three institutions in Serbia when it comes to the confidence it enjoys among the people. "The first place is all surveys belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church, while the military and the police come in second or third, depending on the poll," said the minister. Before, people wanted to have nothing to do with the police, while now they are asking for as much police presence in the streets as possible, looking for security and protection. "Of course, they also want greater police responsibility. They want less corruption, a professional attitude, good training... It is a process I hope will continue in the coming years, with the younger generation and new personnel coming in. I am certain the reputation of our police force in Europe is already very good," the minister said. Blic Tanjug

Dačić does not rule out DS-SNS coalition

In an interview for the Monday edition of the Belgrade-based daily Blic, Dačić said his party is not responsible for the low living standard, because it only made up 7.6 percent of the government, and added he is satisfied with his relationship with Serbian President Boris Tadić "who personally takes responsibility for the mistakes of his party."

Dačić said Serbia needs economic development, justice and "a sure hand which can firmly hold the steering wheel of the country."

He also said it is tragic that 11 years after the democratic changes, less than 50 percent of the population supports EU accession, despite the fact it would bring Serbia major economic benefits.

To the comment that he is seen by his party colleagues as the ideal candidate for the prime minister's seat, Dačić said it is a question whether the position would even suit him.

He said that even though DS leader Boris Tadić and SNS leader Tomislav Nikolić have told him a coalition between their two parties is impossible, he does not rule out the possibility and that in this case, he would be in the opposition.

"As pretentious as it sounds, the government cannot be formed without the coalition of the SPS, United Serbia and the United Pensioners of Serbia, unless the DS and the SNS come together. But even that would not be a problem for us, it would even make me happy. It would be an ideal opportunity to double our rating, because we would be the opposition to such a government," Dačić said.

Asked if he supports the referendum in northern Kosovo, Dačić said it would be very bad if Belgrade and Kosovo Serbs continued with different policies and disharmony.

In his estimate, getting candidate status for EU membership would not greatly affect election results, but the opposite could seriously hurt the DS.

"Europe - as much as possible, but not at all costs. This is legitimate, because every country in Europe does this," Dačić concluded.

"Serbians trust police"

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said that the police offers a sense of security and protection to the Serbian people and reminded this is great progress for a service which was a symbol of repression for a long time but has now reached a very high rating in Europe.

Pointing out in an interview for Tanjug that he became interior minister by chance, but that as "a policeman's child" he wanted to improve the status and restore the good standing of the police, Dačić said the thing that makes him happiest is that the police is among the top three institutions in Serbia when it comes to the confidence it enjoys among the people.

"The first place is all surveys belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church, while the military and the police come in second or third, depending on the poll," said the minister.

Before, people wanted to have nothing to do with the police, while now they are asking for as much police presence in the streets as possible, looking for security and protection.

"Of course, they also want greater police responsibility. They want less corruption, a professional attitude, good training... It is a process I hope will continue in the coming years, with the younger generation and new personnel coming in. I am certain the reputation of our police force in Europe is already very good," the minister said.