BELGRADE, Serbia 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic asked Milos Vucevic, the country's defense minister and deputy prime minister, as well as the chairman of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), to form a government three and a half months after general elections.

"The new Prime Minister of Serbia will continue to implement projects in the fields of health, education, science and technology, infrastructure development, ecology, energy, agriculture, and tourism, which are important for the future of the country and its progress towards Europe and aim to raise the living standards of all citizens," Vucic said in a statement on Instagram.

Vucic's announcement came after 105 days of general elections held on Dec. 17, 2023, and tasked Vucevic with forming a new government.

Vucevic will take office following a vote of confidence by the Serbian National Assembly in a session scheduled for the coming days.

Ana Brnabic, who will serve as prime minister until this time, was elected president of the Serbian National Assembly.

Brnabic became the country's longest-serving premier after two terms in office.

Vucevic has been the party's leader since May 27, 2023, and the deputy prime minister and defense minister since 2022.

The SNS coalition partners welcomed Vucevic's appointment as a logical and excellent choice, while the opposition believes it makes no difference who is prime minister as long as Vucic is president.

Serbia held its early local and general elections on Dec. 17, 2023. President Vucic's alliance, led by the SNS, which has been in power since 2012, won the election with 46% of the vote and 129 seats in the 250-member parliament.