BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian lawmakers will elect a new government, dominated by former nationalist allies of late strongman Slobodan Milosevic for the first time since the autocrat was ousted in a popular revolt in 2000.
The vote on Friday in the Serbian parliament is expected to be a formality as the coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Ivica Dacic has the majority needed for the election.
Dacic's Cabinet will include ministers from his own Socialist Party, from the nationalist Progressive Party of President Tomislav Nikolic and several smaller groups.
In his speech to the parliament on Thursday, Dacic — who was Milosevic's wartime spokesman — tried to dispel fears that the new government could revive Milsosevic-era nationalism.
He promised to advance Serbia's EU bid and promote reconciliation in the postwar Balkans.
