Former Serbian minister Nebojsa Stefanovic makes rare appearance at ruling SNS leadership meeting

Nebojsa Stefanovic, a former interior and defense minister in Serbia, has reappeared in the public sphere, attending a session of the Main Board of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). This marks a significant public appearance for Stefanovic, who has largely remained out of the spotlight for several years following his effective sidelining within the party.

Stefanovic was once a close political ally of President Aleksandar Vucic, holding key positions such as speaker of parliament, interior minister, and defense minister. His political career took a downturn after reports of deteriorating relations with Vucic, particularly following the president's disclosure in early 2021 about being illegally wiretapped. Pro-government media at the time questioned Stefanovic's responsibility, and he faced public criticism from fellow SNS official Vladimir Djukanovic.

Despite not immediately resigning, Stefanovic was effectively removed from frontline politics and did not return to government after the 2022 elections. The exact reasons for the breakdown in his relationship with Vucic have never been publicly clarified by either party.

Stefanovic's name has been linked to several controversies. These include allegations by former Montenegrin chief special prosecutor Milivoje Katnic regarding cooperation between Serbia's Security Information Agency and an organized crime group, and a 2018 report by BIRN alleging his father's involvement in arms sales. Stefanovic has denied any wrongdoing in these matters. His presence at the SNS meeting signifies a notable return to visibility after his departure from government in 2022.