Proglas: Interim Gov't Sensible Way Out Of Crisis, Free, Fair Elections Goal

Non partisan initiative ProGlas (ProVote)Belgrade, April 17 2024 (BETAPHOTO/MEDIA CENTER BELGRADE)

The ProGlas initiative said in an announcement on Feb. 17 that forming an interim government in Serbia was "a sensible and the least painful way out of the current crisis."

That is "the only way to achieve two fundamental goals: meeting student demands and creating the basic conditions to hold a free and fair election, based on which legitimate government agencies could be formed," reads the announcement by ProGlas, which states that the political crisis in Serbia was at its peak.

The initiative said the interim government's term would be limited -- "somewhat extended from that of a caretaker government." Persons of undisputed expertise and confirmed social standing and authority should be at the helm of departments, and elected ministers would undertake by declaration that they would not take part in the next election in any capacity or be members of the next cabinet.

ProGlas called on the attorney general and Serbian Broadcasting Corporation general manager to step down so acting replacements could be named, elected according to the listed principles of "time limitation, the broadest social confidence and one-time engagement." ProGlas expressed readiness to take part in possible mediation in forming the interim government, stressing that none of its initiators would sit in that government.

In response to the statement by ProGlas, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters in Budapest that the ProGlas initiative could take power only if it wins an election, and that he would never change his standpoint.