Vucic: I am open both to forming new gov't and to holding elections

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday evening he was open to both options under the procedure after the resignation of PM Milos Vucevic earlier in the day - to forming a new government as well as to holding elections.

Vucic added that Socialist Party of Serbia leader Ivica Dacic had said he was not in favour of elections, but for forming a new government.

"Milos (Vucevic) has resigned and the procedure is now as follows: once the National Assembly takes note of PM Milos Vucevic's resignation, a 30-day time frame starts. A government must be elected within 30 days, and if a government is not elected, elections will be called automatically," Vucic explained.

He said that, under the law, the president of the Republic was obligated to launch the proceedings to elect a new government but that the exact meaning of that was always a subject of disputes.

"I will not shun consultations, although I know that I will get only insults, and I do not know what, from those who do not have more than 2-3 pct support," he said.

"We now need to discuss whether to head towards forming a government or towards elections. As far as I am concerned, I am open to both options. As far as coalition partners are concerned, Milos Vucevic, as Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) president, already began discussions this evening with Ivica Dacic, who said in front of everybody that he is never in favour of elections, so he is in favour of making a new government," Vucic said.

He said "discussions with others" would follow but that the most important discussions would be held within the SNS.

Vucic also said a decision on whether to go to elections or form a new government would be made within ten days and noted that stability in the country would be preserved.

He said there would definitely be no transitional government as he did not want the country to be destroyed.

If held, parliamentary elections will most likely take place in April, Vucic added.