Serbia's conservative leader sworn in as president

Record ID: 877323

  • Title: Serbia's conservative leader sworn in as president
  • Date: 31st May 2017
  • Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (MAY 31, 2017) (REUTERS) SERBIAN LAWMAKERS RISING AND APPLAUDING TO ALEKSANDAR VUCIC ARRIVING FOR HIS PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION VUCIC BLOWING KISS AND WAVING TO HIS FAMILY ON GALLERY VUCIC'S FAMILY IN PARLIAMENT GALLERY (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) SERBIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT ALEKSANDAR VUCIC TAKING OATH, SAYING: "I swear to devote all my powers to the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, including Kosovo and Metohija as its integral part, as well as for the realization of human and minority rights and freedoms, respect and defense of the constitution and laws, support of peace and welfare of all citizens of Serbia and that I will conscientiously and responsibly perform all my duties." LAWMAKERS APPLAUDING AND RISING TO VUCIC'S OATH (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) SERBIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT, ALEKSANDAR VUCIC, SAYING: "Yes, we want to improve relations with Croatia, we want to further improve relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, but also Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. We don't doubt anyone, but let no one doubt us, neither our devotion to peace, nor our ability to defend ourselves. Just as there should be no doubt in the European path that we committed ourselves to." LAWMAKERS APPLAUDING AND RISING AFTER VUCIC'S ADDRESS
  • Embargoed: 14th June 2017 14:58
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BELGRADE, SERBIA
  • City: BELGRADE, SERBIA
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016J62R7D
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Serbia's conservative leader Aleksandar Vucic was sworn in as the country's president on Wednesday (May 31), a day after he resigned as prime minister. He had served two incomplete terms starting in April 2014.
    Addressing the parliament and dignitaries, Vucic promised to uphold regional stability and take the country closer towards a membership in the European Union, but also continue nurturing close ties with Russia and China.
    He also pledged to work toward resolving outstanding issues with Kosovo, Serbia's former province that declared independence in 2008, nine years after NATO bombing drove out Serb forces fighting an insurgency of majority ethic Albanians. The text of the oath included Serbia's claim of sovereignty over Kosovo.
    In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday (May 30), Vucic also highlighted the important role the European Union plays in maintaining stability in the Balkans, in which virtually all countries are either members or aspiring members.
    By moving from prime minister to president, Vucic left the office with far greater formal powers. He is, however, widely expected to appoint a loyal ally as prime minister and try to keep a tight rein on government through control over his Progressive Party.
    Opponents describe him as an authoritarian who controls the local media.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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