Commenting on her election to the post of Serbian Parliament speaker, Ana Brnabic said it is good for people to rotate and that no one is predestined for a post, as well as that Serbia moves forward this way. The government and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic extended a hand to the opposition, but it was left hanging in the air, said Brnabic.
MPs elected Brnabic Parliament speaker after three days of discussions. Brnabic came to the helm of Serbia’s legislative body after she served as Prime Minister for almost seven years.
The newly elected speaker told the Serbian state TV (RTS) that she had discussed her change of post with Serbian President Vucic and leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Milos Vucevic, noting that changes are a good thing.
“It is good for people to rotate, no one is predestined for a post, this way Serbia moves forward,” said Brnabic.
She said her new job is important and that she will do her best to make the Parliament more open to the public and improve cooperation with other parliaments.
The speaker stressed that the notion that the European Parliament (EP) is superior to the Serbian Parliament is a misconception.
“The sooner the (opposition coalition) Serbia Against Violence realizes this, the better for our Parliament. I see no other way to alleviate tensions in society and try to build bridges but by means of dialogue, and I have extended my hand,” said the speaker.
Brnabic said she regrets that Serbia Against Violence refused to take part in the consultations offered by the former speaker, and to participate in the parliamentary working bodies.
“I hear criticism that we are not keen on dialogue, which is bizarre. They got an invitation to consultations with President Vucic, which it their obligation to the voters. Serbia Against Violence did not deign to respond to those calls, they did not take part in the consultations,” said the Serbian Parliament speaker.
Brnabic said the government proved that it wants dialogue and that Vucic extended his hand to the opposition, but that it was left hanging in the air.
She said she will call and hold meetings to make room for dialogue on all topics. “I believe this is in our country’s interest. We live in a complex geopolitical situation. Don’t be the opposition to Serbia, be the opposition to the Serbian Progressive Party,” said the speaker.
Brnabic said she will schedule Belgrade elections for June 2, and that she will do this on April 3, which is the final deadline.
Regarding a possible consensus on Kosovo in the Parliament, she said there is nothing she would want more than for this to be possible to achieve. “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible,” she added.
