Vucic criticizes ministers and utility directors during cabinet session

Addressing Prime Minister Djuro Macut, President Vucic requested that ministers be informed that serving in the Cabinet during these difficult times leaves no room for vacations or non-working weekends extending from Thursday evening to Monday morning.

"Almost all ministers are applying this [leisurely] practice. Either they will work, or you should go before the Assembly with an initiative for their dismissal, or I will do it myself. I guarantee I will secure the majority," Vucic stated during the session. He emphasized that while citizens have the right to visit exotic destinations, members of the government do not, especially given the current circumstances.

Energy sector failures and future planning

The President expressed particular dissatisfaction with the energy sector, blaming the leadership of Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) and Elektromreza Srbije (EMS) for power outages experienced by households during winter storms in early January.

Vucic criticized EPS for planning documents that do not anticipate growth in electricity consumption, despite state investments in supercomputers and data centres. Regarding the planned decommissioning of several thermal power plants between 2030 and 2034 due to decarbonization, he questioned how that capacity would be replaced, noting that renewable energy sources alone would be insufficient.

He also voiced frustration over the official strategy for nuclear energy, which suggests seven years are needed just to prepare regulations. He pointed out that Japanese and Chinese partners have offered to build small modular reactors (SMRs) on a "turnkey" basis within six years.

Stagnation in EU integration

The slow pace of Serbia’s European integration was another focal point. Vucic criticized ministries for failing to adopt regulations that are unrelated to sensitive issues like Kosovo or sanctions against Russia, referring to them as "fish and birds" legislation.

To accelerate the process, he proposed the establishment of a new operational body focused on daily EU integration tasks, to be headed by Danijel Apostolovic, Serbia’s Ambassador to the European Union.

Government focus shifting to five key sectors

Following the session, Prime Minister Macut announced that, acting on President Vucic's advice, the Cabinet adopted a conclusion identifying five key sectors for prioritized focus: energy, education and science, healthcare, and the military.