Senior Socialist Ruzic reportedly expelled from Serbia’s Socialist Party

Branko Ruzic, one of the senior figures in Serbia’s Socialist Party, has reportedly been expelled in a move that party officials have not publicly confirmed.

The daily newspaper Blic reported that the decision came from the Socialist Party of Serbia’s Statutory Commission, with all 11 members present. The stated reason was described as “serious violations of the party statute.”

An N1 reporter outside the party headquarters said no representative had addressed the media, leaving the reported expulsion officially unconfirmed. The commission had been expected to consider Ruzic’s membership earlier, but that meeting was postponed.

The dispute follows a period of growing tension between Ruzic and the party leadership. He attended a large anti-government student protest in Belgrade on March 15 last year and has frequently criticized the party in public.

Ruzic has repeatedly urged the SPS to follow an independent political course. He warned against the party being absorbed into the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, or SNS. Sources close to the SPS had reportedly suggested that removing him could make him a “sacrificial lamb” for President Aleksandar Vucic. Blic also reported that SPS leader Ivica Dacic had promised Vucic that the “Ruzic situation” would be resolved by Sept. 1 at the latest.

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serious violations of the party statute