SPS seeks post-election talks with SNS, rejects 'blockaders,' says leader Dačić

Ivica Dačić, the leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), has declared the party's intention to pursue coalition discussions with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) following the upcoming elections. Dačić made it clear that the SPS is focused on continuing its partnership with the SNS and will not engage with or support groups he termed "blockaders."

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The Socialists, after the elections, want to talk with the Serbian Progressive Party about continuing the coalition, and not with blockaders.

The SPS has decided to participate in the parliamentary elections as part of a pre-election coalition. This coalition includes United Serbia and the Greens of Serbia. Dačić confirmed that this decision was unanimously adopted by the party's Main Board, which also rejected any notion of supporting student protesters or the opposition, whom he collectively referred to as "blockaders."

Dačić's remarks were a response to questions regarding statements made by SPS official Branko Ružić, who had suggested that the SPS running independently in the elections was a "good first step." Dačić clarified that Ružić was not present at the Main Board meeting where the decisions were made and directed reporters to other party officials for further details. He stressed that Ružić does not represent the official stance of the SPS.

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One thing is going to the elections, as we have always done, and another is the decision that we will continue the coalition with the SNS and talks after the elections, and third, that there is no cooperation with blockaders, and that there is no support for blockaders.

The SPS has been a long-standing coalition partner of the SNS, participating in the Serbian government for several years. Recent interpretations by some pro-government media suggested the SPS's decision to run independently might signal a distancing from the SNS. However, Dačić's statements aim to reaffirm the party's commitment to continuing the coalition with the SNS after the elections, while clearly defining its opposition to other political factions.

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Independent participation of the SPS in the elections is a good first step.