Siniša Mali disputes economic claims by Dejan Šoškić

Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali has issued a sharp rebuttal to Dejan Šoškić, the former Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, accusing him of an “elementary lack of knowledge of economics.” Mali challenged Šoškić’s claims regarding the country’s public debt, economic growth, and standard of living, labeling him the “main economist of the blockers.”

Addressing the assertion that the state has incurred an additional 28 billion euros in debt, Mali argued that nominal debt figures must be viewed in relation to the size of the economy. He noted that Serbia’s GDP has grown from 35.1 billion euros in 2012 to 95.3 billion euros this year. Mali stated that the public debt currently stands at 43.9 percent of GDP, which he claimed is a lower level than at the end of 2012.

Mali further contended that current borrowing is directed toward long-term investments intended to stimulate growth, contrasting this with previous administrations that he claimed borrowed for current consumption. He also disputed claims that Serbia is lagging further behind Central and Eastern European countries, citing an increase in GDP per capita from 4,870 euros in 2012 to 13,540 euros in 2025. Mali concluded by once again inviting Šoškić to a televised debate.