Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić today asked Prime Minister Đuro Macut to tell ministers that, if they want to be in government in such difficult times, there will be no vacations, no supposedly non-working weekends, from Thursday evening to Monday morning.
"Almost all ministers apply this. Either they will work, or go to the Parliament with an initiative to replace ministers, or I will do it. I guarantee that I will secure a majority," Vučić said at a government session.
He said that they should take this into account, because the people did not elect a government so that its members would go to exotic destinations, but so that they would work in the interests of the people.
"The people have the right to go to such destinations. And members of the government do not have the right to do so, especially in times like these," Vučić told the prime minister and ministers at a government session.
Vučić criticized the work of directors of some public companies, stating that he informed them about developments in their sector.
"What do I have to hold against companies, look at yourself - how many of you were on weekend vacations, when there was the most pressure on electricity? You had to because of your children, family... and here some people were freezing," Vučić said at a thematic session of the Serbian Government.
He added that he had to warn the directors of public companies about where there was no electricity, even though, as he said, he pointed out the problem every year. "I'm not talking about political opponents, but about us. You were not given by God to enjoy a secretary or a car," Vučić said.
He stated that volunteers who were repairing faults on power lines struggled in impossible conditions and risked their lives.
"It is true that citizens prevented trees from being cut down along the transmission line route, but why was the Government not informed about this?" asked Vučić.
A thematic session of the Serbian Government, attended by Vučić, was held today at the Palace of Serbia.
In addition to members of the government, the session was attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, the President of the Provincial Government Maja Gojković, the Governor of the National Bank of Serbia Jorgovanka Tabaković, representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces led by the Chief of General Staff Milan Mojsilović, and directors of public enterprises.
The session, which was open to the public, discussed key issues of strategic importance for Serbia, political and economic conditions in the country and the world, and the implementation of development and infrastructure projects of national importance, including the Expo project, which was discussed by Finance Minister Siniša Mali.
The conclusion proposed by Vučić was adopted.
Macut stated that at the thematic session of the Government, attended by Vučić, a conclusion was reached on five key sectors to which members of the Government will pay special attention in the coming period, namely those in the fields of energy, education and science, healthcare, and the military.
At the conclusion of the session, Macut said that Vučić had advised on these five elements.
"The conclusions are that in the future, work will be done on energy issues, education and science, healthcare and military issues, i.e. the establishment of structural elements for the introduction and service of military service and the modernization and strengthening of the army," said Macut.
At the session open to the public, which lasted about an hour and a half, among other things, there was talk of resolving problems in the electricity supply, plans for introducing nuclear energy into the Serbian energy system, plans for the reconstruction and construction of the water supply and sewage system throughout the country, and the situation in healthcare and education was also discussed.
Vučić requested a meeting with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, and proposed forming an operational team and strengthening capacities so that Serbia can progress more quickly in EU integration.
He proposed the head of the Serbian Mission to the EU in Brussels, Danijel Apostolović, as the president of that operational team.
Vučić stated earlier today that he would ask ministers questions at the Government session, which are not simple, in order to force some to work more seriously.
He added that there was no excuse for them being tired, that the session would be interesting and that they would also talk about priorities.
"We need to speed up the work on Ekspo. There are countless problems with energy. NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia) is just part of the problem, we have decarbonization waiting for us in a few years. Let's also look at things around the European Union, there are demands that are not political. There will be a lot of questions," Vučić told TV Prva earlier today.
Vučić: The world is heading towards further fragmentation, differentiation, and conflicts
Vučić stated in his address at a thematic government session that the Davos summit showed that the world is heading towards further fragmentation and that Serbia must engage in its main priority, which is preserving the peace and stability of the country.
"The world is heading towards further fragmentation, differentiation, conflicts. It is no longer a division between the West and the rest of the world, but rather a significant fragmentation within the West, and this is an ongoing process, as Ursula von der Leyen said, and it will not stop," Vučić said.
He pointed out that the world in 2026 will not be more peaceful, but much more problematic.
"The engagement of all state bodies in what we have established as the most important priority, preserving the peace and stability of the country, is of enormous importance, this means the full engagement of all parts of the state, the government, the president of the republic, all other international contacts in order to preserve the position of the Republic of Serbia so that we can guarantee safety, peace and security to its citizens," he said.
In a further comment on the gathering at the World Economic Forum and Davos, Vučić said that he had never seen such a bad atmosphere in one place where the entire world gathers, including representatives of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, international organizations, and the most powerful technology companies in the world.
"The atmosphere has never been worse, I lived there for 12 years, I am a very respected member of that club, I am always among the first to receive an invitation, one of the most important guests, I have never experienced that before. The world is at its breaking point and we have to find our place in this and such a world with the least risk, and with a lot of security for our citizens," said Vučić.
Mali: So far, 132 countries have confirmed participation in EXPO 2027
Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali said today that 132 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the specialized world exhibition EXPO 2027, which will be held in Belgrade next year, and stressed that it will be the largest ever of its kind, with the most participants.
"So far, contracts have been signed with 41 countries, another 16 are ready, and by April 1st we will have all contracts signed with all participating countries," he said at a session of the Serbian Government.
He recalled that a completely new exhibition complex in Surčin, which began construction two and a half years ago, is being completed, and that by May 2027 it will be ready to receive the expected three to four million visitors.
"Serbia should hand over the keys to all pavilions to EXPO participants by December 1st of this year, but we want to do it in October of this year," said the minister.
He stated that 23 kilometers of water and sewage systems, 18 kilometers of new railway from Belgrade to the EXPO location, a new pier, new city boulevards, substations, and a gas pipeline are being built for EXPO.
"Zone A is the zone where the pavilions will be, Zone B will be thematic pavilions, Zone E will be best practices, as well as the national stadium, a private hotel that will have 400 rooms, an EXPO village with 1.500 new apartments, as well as a new hangar for flying taxis, a new heating plant," Mali stated.
He added that the thematic pavilion zone should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
"Pavilions are under construction that are connected to the best practice zones. A complex of 1.500 apartments will be completed this year, as well as a four-star hotel and a new national stadium with 52.000 seats," the minister said.
Mali stated that more than 100 domestic companies, hired as subcontractors, are involved in the construction of the EXPO complex.
"More than 3.000 workers are working every day on the construction of the complex, with more than 500 machines deployed at the construction site," the minister said.
He also pointed out that the new company EXPO 2027 has 181 employees, and that it deals with communications with participants, organization of various programs, construction of pavilions, and finding sponsors.
According to him, more than 8.000 programs will be held during the EXPO exhibition in 93 days.
"The plan is to reveal the names of the mascots for the upcoming exhibition to the citizens of Serbia on January 29th, based on their votes. A major volunteer campaign should start in the spring, as the exhibition will require around 20.000 volunteers," said Mali.
He stated that the plan is to start selling tickets for EXPO in Serbia and around the world on May 15th of next year.
Mali reiterated that next year's EXPO will be the largest international event in the world and Serbia's greatest development opportunity, and a chance to present itself to the world in the best light.
Addressing Vučić, he said that the deadlines for completing the complex are "tight".
"We've worked hard, but I'm not sure we'll get everything done in time if we don't all get involved in the right way. Without your support and extra pressure, I don't know if we'll get everything done on time," Mali said.
Vučić: When the weather is cold, Serbian companies don't want to work
Vučić said that he understands that construction is more difficult, especially when the weather is cold, and Serbian companies do not want to work.
"They are cold, then we are surprised when we cannot get a single job, not only abroad, but also in the country. It is difficult to talk to our companies," he said.
He added that he does not blame the companies, because the ministers need to look at themselves, how many of them were there on the weekend and New Year's holidays at a time when there was the greatest pressure related to problems with electricity supply.
Vučić confirmed that he will be more involved in the completion of the EXPO complex.
Bonus video:
