Vučić announces major cut: "We won't have 31 ministers, but 12. It will be the hardest working government"

“If I have your trust and become prime minister, there will not be 31 ministers in the government — 31 cars, 31 ministers, 31 times two secretaries, 31 drivers, 31 who-knows-who-else. There will be 12 ministers: hardworking, dedicated, the smallest but the most diligent and productive government. A government that can deliver results. A government where people won’t complain every day and just look for a way to go abroad.

People, when I go abroad and talk to Xi Jinping, when I talk to Trump, when I talk to Putin, when I talk to von der Leyen, whoever you want, I can’t wait to return to my country. I can’t wait to come here to Luka, to Nabrdje, to Manastirica and Neresnica, to visit every one of our villages and talk to our people. Why did I go abroad? I went abroad to fight for you, for our country, not to fight for myself and make things comfortable for me,” he said.

Vučić added that talking to Putin makes sense if it results in cheaper gas for all citizens.

“If, in a conversation with Xi Jinping, I secure more investment, or with someone else, cheaper weapons and military equipment for our country — that’s why you go to talk. And that’s why you have to be with your people.

These are the things we need to change. We need to modernize local government. People must be accountable to citizens. And you don’t always have to be right. You can be wrong about many things, but you must be listened to. You must be listened to.

And our municipal presidents, mayors, people in government, must understand that there is a higher authority — the citizen, whom I must listen to and toward whom I must show consideration. And those of you who are arrogant and high-handed, feel free to pack your things, because you can’t stay here anymore,” he said.