Democrats, Socialists sign coalition agreement

The pre-election coalitions gathered around the Democrats (DS) and Socialists (SPS) have today signed a deal to form the next government. SPS leader Ivica Dacic has confirmed that the signing took place at the presidency building in Belgrade. Democrats, Socialists sign coalition agreement The agreement was signed by Dacic and his coalition partners – Dragan Markovic Palma of United Serbia (JS), and Jovan Krkobabic (PUPS) – and DS leader Boris Tadic. Next week, after the government is elected, the SPS leader said, "a political declaration on reconciliation between the Democrats and Socialists" will also be signed. The SPS is a party founded and led until his death by Slobodan Milosevic; the Democrats were headed by Zoran Djindjic until his assassination. Today, Dacic said that the new ruling coalition will advocate protection of territorial integrity, continued European integrations, economic development and social justice. His Socialists will work toward this from the positions of labor, mining and energy, infrastructure, and education ministers. Dacic himself will be the first vice-premier and interior minister. Earlier in the day, reports said that the DS expects the government to be formally selected on Monday. In order for this to happen, Tadic must officially submit his list with the name of his candidate for prime minister and members of the government to the speaker. Meanwhile, parliament is continuing to debate amendments to the Law on Ministries at today’s session, which envisages the government comprising 24 ministries. B92 understands from parliament that following today’s debate, MPs will vote on both draft laws—on the government and on ministries. The session will come to an end after the vote, and a new session will be called for Monday, when the only item on the agenda will be the formation of a new government. Under the proposals, the new government under current Finance Minister Mirko Cvetkovic would contain 24 ministries, as opposed to the 22 thus far. On Thursday, MPs debated 35 of the 74 proposed amendments to the Law on Ministries. Most amendments are aimed at decreasing the number of ministries and altering various ministries’ jurisdictions. Serb Radical Party (SRS) MPs yesterday called for the proposed law to omit a National Investment Plan Ministry and to combine the Ministries of Education, Science and Technology. The SRS also proposed renaming the Ministry of Culture as the “Culture and Information Ministry”, and renaming the Infrastructure Ministry the “Traffic Ministry”. The party also wants the Diaspora Ministry to be called the “Ministry for Links with Serbs outside Serbia”. Nor do the Radicals want the Tourism Ministry to merge with the Economy Ministry, and want it returned to the Trade and Services Ministry. The Liberal Democratic Party proposed the abolition of the Diaspora, Kosovo and NIP Ministries. Ivica Dacic, Boris Tadic (FoNet, archive)

Democrats, Socialists sign coalition agreement

The agreement was signed by Dačić and his coalition partners – Dragan Marković Palma of United Serbia (JS), and Jovan Krkobabić (PUPS) – and DS leader Boris Tadić.

Next week, after the government is elected, the SPS leader said, "a political declaration on reconciliation between the Democrats and Socialists" will also be signed.

The SPS is a party founded and led until his death by Slobodan Milošević; the Democrats were headed by Zoran Đinđić until his assassination.

Today, Dačić said that the new ruling coalition will advocate protection of territorial integrity, continued European integrations, economic development and social justice.

His Socialists will work toward this from the positions of labor, mining and energy, infrastructure, and education ministers.

Dačić himself will be the first vice-premier and interior minister.

Earlier in the day, reports said that the DS expects the government to be formally selected on Monday. In order for this to happen, Tadić must officially submit his list with the name of his candidate for prime minister and members of the government to the speaker.

Meanwhile, parliament is continuing to debate amendments to the Law on Ministries at today’s session, which envisages the government comprising 24 ministries.

B92 understands from parliament that following today’s debate, MPs will vote on both draft laws—on the government and on ministries. The session will come to an end after the vote, and a new session will be called for Monday, when the only item on the agenda will be the formation of a new government.

Under the proposals, the new government under current Finance Minister Mirko Cvetković would contain 24 ministries, as opposed to the 22 thus far.

On Thursday, MPs debated 35 of the 74 proposed amendments to the Law on Ministries.

Most amendments are aimed at decreasing the number of ministries and altering various ministries’ jurisdictions.

Serb Radical Party (SRS) MPs yesterday called for the proposed law to omit a National Investment Plan Ministry and to combine the Ministries of Education, Science and Technology.

The SRS also proposed renaming the Ministry of Culture as the “Culture and Information Ministry”, and renaming the Infrastructure Ministry the “Traffic Ministry”.

The party also wants the Diaspora Ministry to be called the “Ministry for Links with Serbs outside Serbia”.

Nor do the Radicals want the Tourism Ministry to merge with the Economy Ministry, and want it returned to the Trade and Services Ministry.

The Liberal Democratic Party proposed the abolition of the Diaspora, Kosovo and NIP Ministries.