Serb president nominates country's first female PM

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia

Recently-elected Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday backed Ana Brnabic to become the country’s first female prime minister.

Brnabic, 41, will become Serbia’s premier if Vucic’s cabinet nominations are supported in a confidential parliamentary vote next week.

Vucic on Thursday said he was convinced Brnabic had the professional and personal qualities needed for the job.

“It is necessary to continue the continuity of the policy (so far) of the government of Serbia,” Vucic told a news conference.

Saying the decision had not been easy, Vucic added it had been taken in the interests of Serbia.

Vucic also confirmed there would be changes among Serbia’s ministers, plus the creation of additional ministries.

Brnabic was born in 1975, speaks English and Russian, and comes from a business background, holding almost a decade’s worth of experience in managerial positions among various international development projects.

She is also the current local government minister in Serbia’s cabinet.

If ratified, Brnabic’s appoint will also be the first time an openly-gay politician has become prime minister of Serbia.