Expelling Branko Ružić Would Gain SPS Nothing, Only Vučić Would Be Satisfied, Analyst Says

Removing Branko Ružić from the Socialist Party of Serbia would, in the view of Nova.rs editor Vojislav Milovančević, leave the SPS weaker and mainly satisfy Aleksandar Vučić.

Speaking on N1 television before the SPS decision, Milovančević compared the repeated announcements surrounding Ružić’s possible expulsion with the uncertainty over election timing. He said major decisions inside the ruling camp appeared to be announced, delayed and revised in a way that kept people and party members focused on the speculation.

Milovančević said Ružić first became a target after criticizing the SPS partnership with the Serbian Progressive Party, arguing that the SPS occupied a subordinate position and was losing its identity. Ružić later also spoke about supporting students and considering cooperation with the student movement.

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The only one who would be satisfied by Branko Ružić being expelled from the SPS would be Aleksandar Vučić.

The editor said SPS leader Ivica Dačić would not welcome Ružić’s expulsion because it could weaken his party. He described Ružić as one of the SPS’s recognizable figures and said he could draw away some party members and supporters, though he did not say where they might go.

Milovančević said the possible decision would send messages to SPS voters, party members and the SNS. It would tell the party’s ranks not to challenge its senior coalition partner, while signaling loyalty to the SNS. He said that, if Ružić were expelled, Vučić would likely be the only person fully satisfied.

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He was losing his identity.