PM: Voted Confidence Proves Cabinet is on Right Track

Djuro Macut (Photo: PrintScreen rts.rs)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut said on July 30 that the fact the National Assembly voted confidence in his cabinet proves the body of ministers “should keep up what it’s doing.”

Speaking for the RTS public broadcasting service, Macut opined that the three-day parliamentary debate was “a reflection of democracy” but added that the dialogue did include “unacceptable tones and unacceptable ways of communicating.”

“It is typical that the entire sitting was dedicated to one topic [i.e. the opposition’s motion of no confidence] yet then the debate centered on all topics but that one. Everything else pertained to the operation of all other cabinets over the last 20 years. I cannot take responsibility for what was done then,” Macut said.

According to him, the debate did include “good suggestions” and comments, primarily regarding healthcare and education. “There were things that can be taken into account and I will certainly consider them because some are already in the works,” the prime minister explained.

On the whole, the PM believes the opposition used the sitting as a campaigning opportunity.

“The only reason the opposition demanded an extraordinary session for a vote of no confidence in the cabinet is the case of the [Former] Army General Staff Building and Minister Nikola Selakovic. You cannot accuse anyone of anything until it is proven. I have no place in the topic of the General Staff Building because I was not [in office] at that time. I don’t see why I would feel responsible when [all I’ve done is] attempt to help the state and people get through that period of crisis,” Macut concluded.

The extraordinary sitting of parliament was called at the initiative of 65 opposition MPs, who submitted a motion of no confidence in February. After several unsuccessful attempts to hold the sitting in April, the National Assembly finally convened on the matter on July 27. After three days of debate, 135 representatives voted to support Macut’s cabinet, while 40 MPs voted against it and one abstained.