How Serbia's political scene was reshuffled in 2012

BELGRADE Serbians went to the polls in May 2012 to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections - and the results profoundly changed the country's political scene. The Democrats (DS) lost both - while a party that was formed after the previous elections in 2008, the Serb Progressives (SNS) - not only won parliamentary seats, but managed to form the ruling coalition. How Serbia's political scene was reshuffled in 2012 Its leader at the time of the elections, Tomislav Nikolic, became Serbia's new president after spending the previous 20 years of his political career in opposition. On top of that, the year behind us demonstrated how sometimes the road leading from a cabinet chair to the prison cell is not all that long. Thus former Agriculture Minister Sasa Dragin (DS), who was sacked from the government several months before the elections, is today in prison awaiting his trial on corruption charges. Prosecutors believe that he drafted decrees designed to benefit "certain businessmen" that were then adopted during cabinet sessions. Another former minister from the ranks of the Democrats, Oliver Dulic, is also awaiting trial on corruption charges - but he has not been put in jail pending its conclusion. Meanwhile, former PM Mirko Cvetkovic spent several months in the wake of his party's departure from power as MP, but has recently resigned from parliament, dedicated himself to writing books - and hired a lawyer - in his own words, "just in case". Former Vice-Premier and Police Minister Ivica Dacic has become prime minister, holding on to his MUP portfolio as well. In 2012, Tomislav Nikolic ended his 20 years in opposition to become Serbia's president, resigned as leader of the SNS, and proved wrong those who claimed he did not speak any foreign languages. Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas became the new leader of the Democratic Party (DS), welcomed his fourth child, and according to the media, bought a million dollar villa and a new apartment. Meantime, Serbia's former president and DS leader Boris Tadic was made the party's honorary president and reportedly "wishes to have more engagement in international politics". Vuk Jeremic traveled the road from foreign minister and favorite DS personality to serving as president of the UN General Assembly, and becoming less than universally liked by his fellow Democrats back home. Jeremic moved to New York for his new job, and discovered Twitter. But 2012 was definitely the year of Aleksandar Vucic, who started it as an opposition figure to end it as first deputy PM and defense minister, and leader of the ruling SNS party. Vucic has made the fight against corruption and crime the focus of his efforts. Goran Knezevic has also had a good year. This former DS official is now one of the vice-presidents of the SNS, and, having cleared his name of corruption charges in a trial that ended in 2012, is now a member of the cabinet. An alliance forged in 2012: Ivica Dacic and Tomislav Nikolic (Tanjug, file) Kurir, Mondo

How Serbia's political scene was reshuffled in 2012

Its leader at the time of the elections, Tomislav Nikolić, became Serbia's new president after spending the previous 20 years of his political career in opposition.

On top of that, the year behind us demonstrated how sometimes the road leading from a cabinet chair to the prison cell is not all that long.

Thus former Agriculture Minister Saša Dragin (DS), who was sacked from the government several months before the elections, is today in prison awaiting his trial on corruption charges. Prosecutors believe that he drafted decrees designed to benefit "certain businessmen" that were then adopted during cabinet sessions.

Another former minister from the ranks of the Democrats, Oliver Dulić, is also awaiting trial on corruption charges - but he has not been put in jail pending its conclusion.

Meanwhile, former PM Mirko Cvetković spent several months in the wake of his party's departure from power as MP, but has recently resigned from parliament, dedicated himself to writing books - and hired a lawyer - in his own words, "just in case".

Former Vice-Premier and Police Minister Ivica Dačić has become prime minister, holding on to his MUP portfolio as well.

In 2012, Tomislav Nikolić ended his 20 years in opposition to become Serbia's president, resigned as leader of the SNS, and proved wrong those who claimed he did not speak any foreign languages.

Belgrade Mayor Dragan Đilas became the new leader of the Democratic Party (DS), welcomed his fourth child, and according to the media, bought a million dollar villa and a new apartment.

Meantime, Serbia's former president and DS leader Boris Tadić was made the party's honorary president and reportedly "wishes to have more engagement in international politics".

Vuk Jeremić traveled the road from foreign minister and favorite DS personality to serving as president of the UN General Assembly, and becoming less than universally liked by his fellow Democrats back home. Jeremić moved to New York for his new job, and discovered Twitter.

But 2012 was definitely the year of Aleksandar Vučić, who started it as an opposition figure to end it as first deputy PM and defense minister, and leader of the ruling SNS party. Vučić has made the fight against corruption and crime the focus of his efforts.

Goran Knežević has also had a good year. This former DS official is now one of the vice-presidents of the SNS, and, having cleared his name of corruption charges in a trial that ended in 2012, is now a member of the cabinet.