"There's no longer reason to be against SNS"

"There's no longer reason to be against SNS"

Ljajić, who serves in the outgoing government, was reacting to his critics who describe him as a person "capable of teaming up with anyone to be in power."

"We're going into this coalition because it is the most rational thing to do, though not the most practical, yet, it was more honest to go into a coalition with the SNS rather than go to elections alone, all thewhile sending messages to Vučić," said Ljajić.

His Social Democratic Party of Serbia (SDPS) was part of a pre-election coalition forged by Vučić's Progressives (SNS).

Ljajić also said the results of the March 16 elections were expected and that they represented "the end of an era and the beginning of a political scene with fewer parties, while the merging of parties will bring greater political stability."

"I expect that the whole process of government formation will be completed by April 25, anything beyond that deadline would be a waste of time," said Lajić, adding that he believes the process will be "easier this time."

He noted that while he did not discuss this with the SNS yet, "this time he would not accept any ministerial post," as the party he leads is now much stronger and he can refuse portfolios that do not suit him - which he previously could not.

"The SPS is probably a potential partner, but it depends on the SNS, they choose partners, and it depends on the SPS whether they want to participate in government. I think it would be good for them to be part of the future government, but the SNS will make the final decision," Ljajić said, adding that he "has nothing against cooperation with Boris Tadić, leader of the New Democratic Party."

He believes that the next cabinet will be more efficient because it will have "a small number of partners and one dominant party that will take on responsibility."

The measure of success of the new government will be employment, said Ljajić.

"If unemployment is reduced, jobs created, that's job done," he said, adding that many reforms that have been started "should be completely implemented."

Commenting on yesterday's arrest several former directors of the Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA), he said that such an agency should exist "but must operate in a much more transparent way."

"If the allegations are true, it's a disaster, I cannot believe that someone could engage in crime in this way," said Ljajić.

Finally, he addressed the ongoing political feud between himself and another political leader from Serbia's southwestern Sandžak area, Sujelman Ugljanin. Although they both serve in the now caretaker government, Ljajić reiterated that should Ugljanin join the new cabinet, he would stay away.