Socialists’ Leader Dacic: It Is in Serbia’s Interest To Have Me as Prime Minister

Ivica Dacic (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

Socialist Party of Serbia leader Ivica Dacic on Dec. 12 said that his candidacy for premiership could only be discussed after final elections were announced, but added that it would be in Serbia’s best interest to have him at the helm of a future cabinet.  

In an interview with BETA, Dacic, who heads the election ticked titled “Ivica Dacic – Serbia’s Prime Minister,” said that the future premier would be from a party or coalition which would collect the largest number of votes in the upcoming elections.  

“It is natural for the coalition of the Socialists and the United Serbia Party to put me forward for premiership like Aleksandar Vucic was once the Serbian Progressive Party’s candidate for the same post. We believe that it would be in Serbia’s best interest if I assume that post, but the party or coalition which wins the largest number of votes will make a nomination for future premier,” Dacic said.  

Dacic also said that his party’s goal was to together with the Progressives and Vucic form a parliamentary group and a majority in the assembly. “I have no doubts that the next cabinet will again be created by the Progressives and the Socialists, together with other parties in our coalition,” he noted.

Commenting on President Aleksandar Vucic’s statement that he was not picturing Dacic as future Serbia’s prime minister, Dacic said the matter could not be seriously discussed before final elections results were known, adding that “it would definitely not be used as an instrument for blackmailing anyone.”