Minister Dacic: Political responsibility is determined by elections, not resignations

Serbian Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic asserted that political accountability is ultimately decided at the ballot box, not through resignations. Speaking at a parliamentary committee meeting, Dacic rhetorically asked who resigned following the assassination of former Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

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Who resigned when (former Serbian Prime Minister) Zoran Djindjic was assassinated?

Dacic made these remarks while discussing the Ministry of Internal Affairs' work report and addressing the "Senjak case," an incident involving a killing at a restaurant. He assured that the police immediately arrested all individuals involved as soon as information about the crime emerged. "As far as we are concerned, no one is protected," Dacic stated, emphasizing that anyone who brings shame to the police force should be removed.

The minister also touched upon the integrity of police officers, explaining that the law mandates various monitoring levels, including integrity tests, risk assessments, and asset disclosures. He reiterated that every officer is required to report their property.

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As far as we are concerned, no one is protected. In the case you mentioned (the Senjak case), the police immediately arrested everyone involved as soon as information about the crime came to light.

Regarding political responsibility, Dacic highlighted that his position is a result of election, not mere appointment. He drew a parallel to the aftermath of Djindjic's assassination in 2003, noting that neither the deputy prime minister responsible for security nor the internal affairs minister resigned, and that these individuals were subsequently elected to the new government.

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Further addressing the issue, Dacic pointed out that following the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, neither the deputy prime minister in charge of security nor the internal affairs resigned. Instead, he noted, “all of those people were elected to the new government.”