Serbia parties hold talks on coalition government

Nationalists and socialists are close to signing an agreement to form a coalition government in Serbia nine weeks after elections.

The three parties at the negotiating table were the nationalist Progressive Party of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, the Socialist party and the pro-business United Regions Party.

Working together for EU membership is a top priority, according to Ivica Dacic, leader of the Socialist Party and designated prime minister:“This is not agreement on a new government, this is agreement for a strong, fair Serbia, which would be, at the same time, a path towards Europe, but also to defend national and state interests.”

Also crucial will be sorting out Serbia’s finances. Whoever is in the new government will have to strike a new deal with the International Money Fund who froze a previous one billion euro loan.

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