Serbian politician Ivica Dačić calls for regular elections and stresses EU‑Serbia crossroads

Ivica Dačić, Serbia’s interior minister and leader of the Socialist Party, said the country’s elections must be held on schedule and affirmed he has not discussed election timing with President Aleksandar Vučić. He reiterated that Serbia will not intervene in Montenegro’s government formation but expects Serbian national and state interests to be respected, especially after Montenegro’s recognition of Kosovo.

Dačić emphasized party unity, noting that any member dissatisfied with his leadership can run for the party’s presidency at the next congress. He defended the SPS’s long‑standing role, warned against anti‑Serbian rhetoric in Montenegro, and criticized the slow pace of EU‑Western Balkan integration, calling the current “non‑pepper” approach a delay of 20‑30 years.

German CDU leader Friedrich Merz, speaking at an EU‑Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, urged President Aleksandar Vučić to choose a clear foreign‑policy direction, stating that Serbia cannot balance relations with Russia, China and the EU simultaneously. Merz added that EU doors remain open if Serbia commits to the European path.