Zukorlic Sets SPP Terms for Serbia's Next Government
The SPP leader laid out his party's terms in two interviews: three projects, a ten-point plan for young people, recognition of a unified Islamic Community and no mine on Rogozna.
Usame Zukorlic, president of the Justice and Reconciliation Party (SPP) and lead candidate of the “SPP - Movement for Unification” list, said in two interviews on Wednesday, October 14, what his party requires to join Serbia’s next government. SPP has so far been part of the ruling majority, and for the October 25 election it is asking for support with a specific list of demands: three main projects, a ten-point platform for young people, recognition of a unified Islamic Community and rejection of a mine on Rogozna.
Zukorlic spoke to Euronews Srbija and to the daily Politika. In both conversations he said that a seat in the executive is a means, not a goal.
Three Projects Instead of Posts
Speaking to Euronews Srbija, Zukorlic said that any deal on joining the government depends on what Sandzak would get, not on the number of ministerial seats:
“Power as such is not important to us, nor is entering the government at any price.”
He then listed what SPP considers the measure of success for the next term:
“Our three main projects for the next term are: asphalt for every village and street, water for Sandzak, and jobs for young people”
He repeated the same line in Politika. Asked about post-election coalitions, he answered briefly:
“We will talk about post-election coalitions when the time comes.”
He added that the decision on taking part in government is tied to what the party promised its voters:
“It only makes sense to take part in government if we can deliver there what citizens gave us their support for.”
According to the text carried by Politika, Zukorlic also said that the criterion will not be the distribution of posts but the readiness of partners to back Bosniak interests, the development of Sandzak, the rights of national communities and a policy that gives young people a reason to stay. SPP, he says, is currently focused on becoming the number one party in Sandzak and on widening its support in the rest of Serbia.
What Has Been Done and What Is Being Asked
As results of its time in government so far, Zukorlic cites 120 kilometers of roads dealt with and 120 young Bosniaks employed in police departments. According to what Sandzak Press relayed from Euronews, the goal for the next term is 1,000 kilometers of roads and 1,000 people employed in the public sector. He lists proportional representation in the fire service and the judiciary as unresolved, where, he says, the problem persists.
The ten-point platform that SPP will present to the Serbian government has a special place. It is meant to stop young people from leaving Sandzak. Zukorlic says Novi Pazar has “the youngest city in Europe,” yet the emigration rate remains high.
Political unity among Bosniaks, in his words, does not mean one list or one party. He proposes a forum that would meet once a year on key issues:
“We called for the formation of a forum of Bosniak political representatives of Sandzak so that from time to time we could sit down at one table and agree on common principles.”
Where Is the Water, and Where Is the Mine?
The list of settlements slated for water supply, relayed from the same conversation, includes Banja and Paralovo near Novi Pazar, Fekovic Brdo in Sjenica, Zivinice in Priboj, Brodarevo in Prijepolje and Tutin.
Zukorlic rejects a mine on Mount Rogozna and cites the proximity to the city as his argument: the mountain, he says, is about ten kilometers from Novi Pazar. The Novi Pazar city assembly unanimously adopted a declaration against mining. He said of it:
“The declaration was adopted unanimously because the people of Pazar will not give their gold to anyone”
What Does SPP Want From the Justice Ministry?
One of the conditions is institutional rather than developmental. According to Sandzak Press, Zukorlic is asking the next government to have the Ministry of Justice recognize the unification of the Islamic Community in Serbia. In the interview he put it this way:
“What I will demand in the next Serbian government is that the Ministry of Justice recognize the unification of the Islamic Community”
The balance of power after October 25 will only then become known, and Zukorlic said plainly that he will not discuss coalition talks in advance. Until then he has put on the table conditions that every future partner would have to hear.
