Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic named Ana Brnabic the Prime Minister-designate on Monday, saying that he has confidence in her.

“I have signed the decision to give Ana Brnabic the mandate to form a new government,” he told a news conference after a meeting of the presidency of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).  

Vucic said that he took the decision following consultations with parties elected to parliament within time frame set by law. He said that several candidates for Prime Minister had been discussed at the meeting.  

“I hold a high opinion of Ana Brnabic. She has done well and in the interest of Serbia and there is nothing much to criticize her for. I think she is a good choice,” he said.  

The president said that he told Brnabic to think about introducing two new ministries – one for human rights, gender equality and social dialogue and the other for family care, children and demographics.  

He said that the new government’s job is to raise pensions and salaries, continue road and rail construction projects and launch new projects such as fast railways and the Belgrade metro, and improve the situation in the health care system. Vucic said that “it’s important to strengthen our army and police”.