Senior socialist warns against coalition with ruling party

Branko Ružić, a prominent member of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), has issued a stark warning: the party risks forfeiting its identity if it continues its coalition with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Ružić publicly stated that the SPS should reconsider running in upcoming elections alongside Aleksandar Vučić's SNS.

According to Ružić, the Socialists need to reconnect with their foundational principles and avoid becoming inextricably linked to the political fortunes of their coalition partner. The SPS has been a consistent part of the ruling coalition since the SNS rose to power, with party leader Ivica Dačić holding significant government positions throughout this period. The SPS itself was founded in the early 1990s by Slobodan Milošević and his associates, including Dačić.

Ružić also directed criticism towards what he perceives as the centralization of power under President Vučić, characterizing the current political landscape in Serbia as deeply polarized. He advocates for the SPS to carve out a more independent political stance. Ružić cautioned that the ongoing cooperation with the SNS could further diminish the SPS's standing among voters.

This is not the first time the former cabinet minister has voiced dissent regarding the partnership with the SNS. He has been advocating for a re-evaluation of the SPS's current political trajectory for some time, calling for a review of the party's direction.