Belgrade city assembly elects mayor

22/07/2008

BELGRADE, Serbia -- The city assembly in the capital elected Democratic Party (DS) member Branislav Belic as mayor Monday (July 21st). Backing him were members of the Serbian Socialist Party (SPS), the Party of United Pensioners of Serbia, and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Representatives of the Serbian Radical Party and the Serbian Democratic Party-New Serbia coalition left the session.

Earlier in the day, the SPS finally agreed to form a new ruling coalition in Belgrade after several weeks of negotiations. It will be composed of the DS, the G17 Plus, the SPS and the LDP, which will have considerable control over the local parliament. Immediately after those parties struck the deal, speculation concerning transfer of this formula to the national level began, suggesting a cabinet reorganisation to include the LDP. But United Serbia leader Dragan Markovic ruled it out, insisting on preservation of the current ruling coalition.

In other news Monday, parliament delayed by two weeks debate on the country's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU amid strong resistance by the opposition. Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic said debate was suspended for now, in hopes the ruling pro-Western coalition and the opposition will be able to reach agreement. (Blic, DPA, Tanjug, Beta, B92 - 21/07/08)