Brnabic: Energy Will Be New Cabinet’s Absolute Priority  

Brnabic: EU is Serbia's Partner, Russia is a Friend

Premier-Designate Ana Brnabic on Oct. 25 presented before the Serbian parliament the ministers of her new cabinet, whose priorities would be energy policy, education and science, a modern healthcare system, digitalization, and climate change.  

Brnabic stressed that absolute priority would be given to a new energy policy, in which the state would inject around EUR12 billion over the next years.  

The premier-designate also said that construction works of Unit B3 at thermal power plant Кostolac B and the gas interconnection to the border with Bulgaria were in the final phase, adding that works on power plant Buk-Bijela in Bosnia and Herzegovina, carried out together with Republika Srpska power utility, would continue, stressing that Serbia also had to start build pumped-storage hydro plants Bistrica and Djerdap 3 as soon as possible. 

Brnabic added that Serbia would start building an oil pipeline to the border with Hungary in order to diversify supply routes. Serbia’s new energy policy, according to Brnabic, would also focus on the green transition.  

Brnabic also touched on the war in Ukraine, stressing that it was most important for Serbia to maintain its position and continue economic growth, which, she said, would be her cabinet’s main task. She also announced strengthening of dual education, more investment in science and improvements to the healthcare system.  

After presenting the government’s platform, Brnabic proposed her cabinet consisting of 28 ministers, including three ministers without portfolio. Following a parliamentary debate, MPs are expected to vote and the new cabinet to take oath of office in the evening on Oct. 26, or on Oct. 27.