Serbia’s Vučić says country will get new government by Easter

Serbia will have a new government by April 18 with political novice Đuro Macut to serve as prime minister, President Aleksandar Vučić announced Sunday.

The Balkan country’s previous government fell in March following a monthslong protest movement sparked by the deadly collapse of a roof at a train station and sustained by public anger over corruption and backsliding on democratic norms.

“It will be a big task for the new government to continue to preserve peace and stability, to act patiently and forbearingly. The government should have a clear commitment to the future, and our desire and intention is to return Serbia to the pedestal of the winner and the fastest growing economy by the end of the year,” Vučić said.

The new PM, an endocrinologist with no political experience, will likely be in place until at least 2027, when Serbia holds simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections. Lawmakers have until April 18 to approve him, or risk setting the stage for an early election.

Vučić added he expects to meet United States President Donald Trump in the coming months and will raise the issue of tariffs.

On April 2, as part of a wave of U.S. levies on countries around the world, Trump announced a 38 percent tariff on Serbia, which is set to take effect this week. That figure was the highest in Europe — though some European countries’ overseas territories will be subject to higher tariffs.

Šejla Ahmatović contributed to this report.