President Nikolić seeks advice from Patriarch

Tanjug
7/6/2012

BELGRADE — Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić met late on Monday in Belgrade with the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patirarch Irinej.

Nikolić said after the meeting that he hoped a new government would be formed soon, adding that the citizens “will not show understanding for those in charge of doing that job who are unable to carry it out”.

“I hope this will be the last week of Serbia’s wasting time,” the Serbian president said.

The meeting between Nikolić and the patriarch lasted for almost two hours at the Patriarchate building.

Nikolić said he hoped he would soon be in a position to give mandates to those who would “come to him and tell him they were capable of forming a government”.

The Serbian president said he went to the patriarch for advice in difficult times.

“We are living in difficult times and a piece of advice does not hurt, especially if coming from wise people,” Nikolić said, adding that he hoped that those deciding about a future government would also “go for advice to wise people”.

On Monday, the president began conducting consultations with parties, starting with his own Serb Progressives (SNS), after delays in the forming of an announced ruling coalition between the Democrats (DS), the Socialists (SPS) and a third partner.

Also on Monday, SPS leader Ivica Dačić told reporters that his party would continue negotiations with the Democrats, led by Boris Tadić.

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