Serbian President Nominates Pro-Western Minister Brnabic to be Prime Minister

Ana Brnabic, who is known for her pro-European views, was proposed by Serbian President Alexander Vucic for the post of the head of government.

BELGRADE (Sputnik) — Serbian President Alexander Vucic on Thursday proposed the candidacy of Ana Brnabic for the post of the head of government.

Brnabic, who is known for her pro-European views, currently serves as Minister of State Administration and Local Government. The nomination still has to be approved by the parliament in a simple majority vote.

Despite the pro-European stance of the new candidate, Vucic stressed that he instructed Brnabic to refrain from sanctions against Russia.

"I hope and I am confident that the government of Serbia will not support the sanctions against Russia — that was the policy of the administration, which I headed. And as the president I will recommend the same," the Serbian president said.

Vucic stressed that he also instructed Brnabic and the new government to ensure that the relations of Belgrade with Russia as well as with China and the Arab states, among others, would be strengthened.

"It is important to ensure the further promotion of Serbia’s positions at the international scene, both in the West and in the East, on the way to the European integration, which is a strategic goal of the Serbian republic, as well as in the relations with Russia, China," the Serbian president noted.

The need for a new head of Serbian government arose after Vucic left the post of prime minister following his election as president on April 2 this year.