Milos Vucevic, Serbia's defense minister and deputy prime minister, has been nominated as the country's Prime Minister-designate, announced Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic on Saturday.

In a proposal submitted to Serbia's parliament, Vucic stated that after consulting with representatives of all election lists following the December 17 elections, he decided to put forth Vucevic as the candidate for the next prime minister.

Vucevic, the former mayor of Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, entered government in October 2022 and has since served as deputy prime minister and minister of defense. In May 2023, upon Vucic's recommendation, Vucevic assumed leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Before seeking parliament's approval, Vucevic is expected to present his new cabinet members and the government's agenda. Ana Brnabic, vice president of the SNS and prime minister for seven consecutive years, has recently been appointed as the new Parliament Speaker.

(Cover: Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic speaks in the government building in Belgrade, Serbia, January 12, 2023. /CFP)