BELGRADE -- Tomislav Nikolić resigns from Parliament Speaker post Sunday following a debate on his dismissal.
Source: B92
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The Parliament continues its session today, discussing amendments on the draft Law on Ministries. According to an agreement reached by parliamentary caucuses, premier-elect Vojislav Koštunica will address the assembly tomorrow and present a new government concept, which will be followed by the formal election of the cabinet.
The new government will be comprised of 23 portfolios, including a newly-formed Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija which is going to be led by adviser to the prime minister and state negotiating team coordinator Slobodan Samardžić. Koštunica’s Democratic Party of Serbia will likely appoint Radomir Naumov as minister of religion, Aleksandar Popović as energy minister, and Zoran Lončar as the new education minister. Dragan Jočić will retain his post as interior minister, while New Serbia (NS) leader Velimir Ilić will be in charge of the ministry of infrastructure.
As for the portion of portfolios belonging to Boris Tadić’s Democratic Party (DS), Božidar Đelić will be vice-premier for European integration. Milica Bisić will occupy the post of finance minister. Dragan Šutanović will be the new defense minister, and DS caucus chief Dušan Petrović will be in charge of the ministry of justice. Tadić’s adviser Vuk Jeremić will be appointed foreign minister, Slobodan Milosavljević minister of agriculture, and Rasim Ljajić minister of labor and social policy. Dragan Đilas will serve as a minister without portfolio in charge of the National Investment Plan (NIP).
The DS, and DSS will officially announce a definite list of ministers later today.
«.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media.. »
I do not agree! The USA will never be on the side of nations who deliberately tried to commit a genocide. I understand that at times the USA behavior is questionnable, but the Americans always try to bring something positive to the people they fought for.
(Victor, 15 May 2007 13:55)
No-one has imposed their will on the Serbian people. Thinking like that does Serbia no good. The radicals couldn't form an goverment. Kostunica might not be the most pro-western politician, but he wouldn't go as far as to form a goverment with the radicals.
In the end this was the only outcome posible, this or new elections. It's just a shame Kostunica wouldn't step down as prime minister and let that position go to Tadic party.
(123, 14 May 2007 22:05)
But but... You need to have the right sort of democracy. Regardless of what you think about the Fatah/Hamas situation, Hamas won massively and the EU/US didn't like it. If Tony Blair can talk to the IRA etc. etc. what is the problem?
The EU & US still believe they have the right to inflict the 'right kind' of misery on sovereign states regardless of whether they are democratic or not.
They can't do it with China, so they don't try. What exactly does that tell you about US/EU commitment to 'democracy'?
Still, one day the shoe will be on the other foot....
(Aleks, 14 May 2007 17:55)
I can certainly see how SRS can resonate with Serbian voters. I mean here you have a nation that is confronting the notion that Serbia should give up Kosovo and SRS is the party that clearly seems to be more concerned with Serbian territorial integrity rather than EU membership. Heck, I would vote for SRS or any other "radical" party if I found out my country may loose a part of its territory.
But the Democrats are the right party for this country right now. What I think would help the Serbian people more, both in the short and the long run, is continued peace and sustained economic growth. And I believe that the latter simply cannot be achieved without complete European integration, friendliness, and joint cooperation with Serbia's immediate neighbors.
(Richard, 14 May 2007 17:45)
Believe me, I despise Milosevic, and the cronies that ran the Serbian name into the ground, but let me tell you one thing.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media..
(Pijetro, Monday, 14 May, 2007, 15:42)
Sadly, you couldn't be more right Pijetro. It's in the US's interest to keep Mubarak, Musharraf, and the Saudi royal family in power, just like it was in their interests to keep Tudjman and Milosevic in power in the 1990s and Saddam Hussein in power in the 1980s. Idealism only works if it coincides with strategic interest.
(Mike, 14 May 2007 17:34)
Any scientist/sane person can see the complete oxymoron of this new definition of democracy, that is let a majority of one nation decide what's best for her interests but provided the assumption that the big powers are in line with this decision.
This is not only politically wrong and a total disgrace to the modern global order.
And to put it in "western" terms, "leave KiM alone, allow Serbia to unite with the sibling and neighboring country Rep. Srpska, give to Serbia what you have taken, hope, money,etc..." and then
ask her politely to put aside the radicals...
Thats the way business is done.
(Ahilleas, 14 May 2007 15:53)
Victor wrote:
"it is the duty of other nations to let them know that they do not agree"..
Ahhhh Victor, now you're starting to see..
The people vote for the best candidates to run their country, and the rest of the world tell them whether it's okay or not..
"I am with the US and other countries"
Just like Saudi, Iranian, and Central American, and African dictatorships, eh Victor?? As long as it suits US's needs, don't worry about minorities.
Believe me, I despise Milosevic, and the cronies that ran the Serbian name into the ground, but let me tell you one thing.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media..
(Pijetro, 14 May 2007 15:42)
Zoran,
I know that your heart is bleeding now after the resignation of Nikolic. Maybe you should move from the USA to Serbia, get the serbian citizenship - if you don't have it yet - and get tough with the EU. It is time that somebody like you straighten out those people of Brussels.
(Joe, 14 May 2007 15:21)
When a people as a nation elect its most radicals to power, it is the duty of other nations to let them know that they do not agree. I am with the US and other countries and I share the view that Nikolic is not the best person to represent Serbia actually. I hope that the Serbs will reflect on this and be a bit wiser after more than a decade of political and solcial disarray.
(Victor, 14 May 2007 14:26)
The largest, most voted for party in Serbia is almost completely shut out of the government. The EU & US have effectively imposed their will on the Serbian people. If a democratically elected party is shut out of all the important decision making positions, is that a democracy or an outside imposed dictatorship?
(Zoran, 14 May 2007 13:27)
There's nothing like a poke in the eye from the Radicals to get the 'Democrats' to put aside their egos and fall into line :)
(Jack, 14 May 2007 13:25)
Zoran,
I know that your heart is bleeding now after the resignation of Nikolic. Maybe you should move from the USA to Serbia, get the serbian citizenship - if you don't have it yet - and get tough with the EU. It is time that somebody like you straighten out those people of Brussels.
(Joe, 14 May 2007 15:21)
Victor wrote:
"it is the duty of other nations to let them know that they do not agree"..
Ahhhh Victor, now you're starting to see..
The people vote for the best candidates to run their country, and the rest of the world tell them whether it's okay or not..
"I am with the US and other countries"
Just like Saudi, Iranian, and Central American, and African dictatorships, eh Victor?? As long as it suits US's needs, don't worry about minorities.
Believe me, I despise Milosevic, and the cronies that ran the Serbian name into the ground, but let me tell you one thing.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media..
(Pijetro, 14 May 2007 15:42)
When a people as a nation elect its most radicals to power, it is the duty of other nations to let them know that they do not agree. I am with the US and other countries and I share the view that Nikolic is not the best person to represent Serbia actually. I hope that the Serbs will reflect on this and be a bit wiser after more than a decade of political and solcial disarray.
(Victor, 14 May 2007 14:26)
The largest, most voted for party in Serbia is almost completely shut out of the government. The EU & US have effectively imposed their will on the Serbian people. If a democratically elected party is shut out of all the important decision making positions, is that a democracy or an outside imposed dictatorship?
(Zoran, 14 May 2007 13:27)
There's nothing like a poke in the eye from the Radicals to get the 'Democrats' to put aside their egos and fall into line :)
(Jack, 14 May 2007 13:25)
Any scientist/sane person can see the complete oxymoron of this new definition of democracy, that is let a majority of one nation decide what's best for her interests but provided the assumption that the big powers are in line with this decision.
This is not only politically wrong and a total disgrace to the modern global order.
And to put it in "western" terms, "leave KiM alone, allow Serbia to unite with the sibling and neighboring country Rep. Srpska, give to Serbia what you have taken, hope, money,etc..." and then
ask her politely to put aside the radicals...
Thats the way business is done.
(Ahilleas, 14 May 2007 15:53)
No-one has imposed their will on the Serbian people. Thinking like that does Serbia no good. The radicals couldn't form an goverment. Kostunica might not be the most pro-western politician, but he wouldn't go as far as to form a goverment with the radicals.
In the end this was the only outcome posible, this or new elections. It's just a shame Kostunica wouldn't step down as prime minister and let that position go to Tadic party.
(123, 14 May 2007 22:05)
But but... You need to have the right sort of democracy. Regardless of what you think about the Fatah/Hamas situation, Hamas won massively and the EU/US didn't like it. If Tony Blair can talk to the IRA etc. etc. what is the problem?
The EU & US still believe they have the right to inflict the 'right kind' of misery on sovereign states regardless of whether they are democratic or not.
They can't do it with China, so they don't try. What exactly does that tell you about US/EU commitment to 'democracy'?
Still, one day the shoe will be on the other foot....
(Aleks, 14 May 2007 17:55)
I can certainly see how SRS can resonate with Serbian voters. I mean here you have a nation that is confronting the notion that Serbia should give up Kosovo and SRS is the party that clearly seems to be more concerned with Serbian territorial integrity rather than EU membership. Heck, I would vote for SRS or any other "radical" party if I found out my country may loose a part of its territory.
But the Democrats are the right party for this country right now. What I think would help the Serbian people more, both in the short and the long run, is continued peace and sustained economic growth. And I believe that the latter simply cannot be achieved without complete European integration, friendliness, and joint cooperation with Serbia's immediate neighbors.
(Richard, 14 May 2007 17:45)
Believe me, I despise Milosevic, and the cronies that ran the Serbian name into the ground, but let me tell you one thing.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media..
(Pijetro, Monday, 14 May, 2007, 15:42)
Sadly, you couldn't be more right Pijetro. It's in the US's interest to keep Mubarak, Musharraf, and the Saudi royal family in power, just like it was in their interests to keep Tudjman and Milosevic in power in the 1990s and Saddam Hussein in power in the 1980s. Idealism only works if it coincides with strategic interest.
(Mike, 14 May 2007 17:34)
«.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media.. »
I do not agree! The USA will never be on the side of nations who deliberately tried to commit a genocide. I understand that at times the USA behavior is questionnable, but the Americans always try to bring something positive to the people they fought for.
(Victor, 15 May 2007 13:55)
But but... You need to have the right sort of democracy. Regardless of what you think about the Fatah/Hamas situation, Hamas won massively and the EU/US didn't like it. If Tony Blair can talk to the IRA etc. etc. what is the problem?
The EU & US still believe they have the right to inflict the 'right kind' of misery on sovereign states regardless of whether they are democratic or not.
They can't do it with China, so they don't try. What exactly does that tell you about US/EU commitment to 'democracy'?
Still, one day the shoe will be on the other foot....
(Aleks, 14 May 2007 17:55)
No-one has imposed their will on the Serbian people. Thinking like that does Serbia no good. The radicals couldn't form an goverment. Kostunica might not be the most pro-western politician, but he wouldn't go as far as to form a goverment with the radicals.
In the end this was the only outcome posible, this or new elections. It's just a shame Kostunica wouldn't step down as prime minister and let that position go to Tadic party.
(123, 14 May 2007 22:05)
I can certainly see how SRS can resonate with Serbian voters. I mean here you have a nation that is confronting the notion that Serbia should give up Kosovo and SRS is the party that clearly seems to be more concerned with Serbian territorial integrity rather than EU membership. Heck, I would vote for SRS or any other "radical" party if I found out my country may loose a part of its territory.
But the Democrats are the right party for this country right now. What I think would help the Serbian people more, both in the short and the long run, is continued peace and sustained economic growth. And I believe that the latter simply cannot be achieved without complete European integration, friendliness, and joint cooperation with Serbia's immediate neighbors.
(Richard, 14 May 2007 17:45)
Believe me, I despise Milosevic, and the cronies that ran the Serbian name into the ground, but let me tell you one thing.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media..
(Pijetro, Monday, 14 May, 2007, 15:42)
Sadly, you couldn't be more right Pijetro. It's in the US's interest to keep Mubarak, Musharraf, and the Saudi royal family in power, just like it was in their interests to keep Tudjman and Milosevic in power in the 1990s and Saddam Hussein in power in the 1980s. Idealism only works if it coincides with strategic interest.
(Mike, 14 May 2007 17:34)
«.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media.. »
I do not agree! The USA will never be on the side of nations who deliberately tried to commit a genocide. I understand that at times the USA behavior is questionnable, but the Americans always try to bring something positive to the people they fought for.
(Victor, 15 May 2007 13:55)
When a people as a nation elect its most radicals to power, it is the duty of other nations to let them know that they do not agree. I am with the US and other countries and I share the view that Nikolic is not the best person to represent Serbia actually. I hope that the Serbs will reflect on this and be a bit wiser after more than a decade of political and solcial disarray.
(Victor, 14 May 2007 14:26)
Victor wrote:
"it is the duty of other nations to let them know that they do not agree"..
Ahhhh Victor, now you're starting to see..
The people vote for the best candidates to run their country, and the rest of the world tell them whether it's okay or not..
"I am with the US and other countries"
Just like Saudi, Iranian, and Central American, and African dictatorships, eh Victor?? As long as it suits US's needs, don't worry about minorities.
Believe me, I despise Milosevic, and the cronies that ran the Serbian name into the ground, but let me tell you one thing.....If it was the US's best interest to keep him in power, Nikolic would be Prime Minister, President, Speaker, and leader of the media..
(Pijetro, 14 May 2007 15:42)
The largest, most voted for party in Serbia is almost completely shut out of the government. The EU & US have effectively imposed their will on the Serbian people. If a democratically elected party is shut out of all the important decision making positions, is that a democracy or an outside imposed dictatorship?
(Zoran, 14 May 2007 13:27)
There's nothing like a poke in the eye from the Radicals to get the 'Democrats' to put aside their egos and fall into line :)
(Jack, 14 May 2007 13:25)
Any scientist/sane person can see the complete oxymoron of this new definition of democracy, that is let a majority of one nation decide what's best for her interests but provided the assumption that the big powers are in line with this decision.
This is not only politically wrong and a total disgrace to the modern global order.
And to put it in "western" terms, "leave KiM alone, allow Serbia to unite with the sibling and neighboring country Rep. Srpska, give to Serbia what you have taken, hope, money,etc..." and then
ask her politely to put aside the radicals...
Thats the way business is done.
(Ahilleas, 14 May 2007 15:53)
Zoran,
I know that your heart is bleeding now after the resignation of Nikolic. Maybe you should move from the USA to Serbia, get the serbian citizenship - if you don't have it yet - and get tough with the EU. It is time that somebody like you straighten out those people of Brussels.
(Joe, 14 May 2007 15:21)