Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader and Prime Minister Ivica Dacic has announced that the government "will continue without the United Regions of Serbia party (URS)" and that Finance and Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic and another two minister from the URS will no longer be members of his cabinet.
Addressing a news conference in Belgrade on Tuesday, Dacic spoke about the results of the negotiations on a government reshuffle, explaining that if Aleksandar Vucic's Serian Progressive Party (SNS) fails to support this, early elections would be called, "or some coalition will be formed without the SPS."
Dacic also said that he had offered URS leader Dinkic "to choose new departments for his party," but that his demands were "unacceptable."
Dacic said Dinkic demanded to be made deputy prime minister in charge of investments, as well as minister of transport, tourism and telecommunications.
Dinkic also wanted his party to continue to be in charge of the Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA).
"Economy and finance are now key issues in Serbia and changes are needed in those sectors, for which reason I decided that Dinkić will no longer be at their helm," Dacic said.
Apart from Dinkic, other minister from URS in the Dacic cabinet are Deputy PM in charge of European Integration Processes Suzana Grubjesic and regional development minister Verica Kalanovic.
Talks on the government reshuffle started over two months ago.
