In recent days, Serbian media reported that Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković has been shortlisted as Serbia’s new mandate holder. According to media speculation, the Serbian President ultimately chose Đuro Macut for the post, but also confirmed that the Mayor of Ljubljana was, indeed, in the running. On Sunday, Vučić confirmed that Janković has dual citizenship.
“I asked Janković how he wants to get involved. But I believe that in the next elections, we can expect not only his advisory help, but more than that. I would like Janković to be in charge at some point in the future, and I would help him,” the Serbian President said on Sunday.
Janković’s entry into Serbian politics is, therefore, not yet out of the question. Janković is expected to reveal more information on Tuesday at a regular press conference, reported the media outlet N1.
Serbian media on Janković’s unsolicited venture
“The strongest party is reportedly choosing between Ljubljana’s first man Zoran Janković and Dubravka Handanović,” read the front page of the Serbian print media Večernje Novosti (Evening News). The shortlist included two candidates, one who is a member of the party and one who is not, who is also “little known to the Serbian public”, wrote the media outlet Danas (Today).
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who reaffirmed that there would be no transitional government, said before Sunday’s announcement that there is a dilemma within the Serbian Progressive Party (Srpska napredna stranka – SNS) between two candidates, further clarifying that they have a party candidate who could enjoy strong support from the “hard” party body, and a non-party candidate.
Several names are being speculated about, and according to our sources, the position has also been offered to the Mayor of Ljubljana. This was also confirmed by the front page of the newspaper Novosti (News). This added an extra dimension to Janković’s frequent visits to Serbia, as his potential candidacy for the mandate could have an impact on the political dynamics in the whole region.
Janković’s last visit to Serbia happened recently, as he went there to attend the 47th UEFA European Football Congress, and he has not yet explained the reason for this visit to the Slovenian public.
Janković remains in Ljubljana
Janković has already admitted in the past that he was being asked to run for mayor in Belgrade, but he turned down the offer three times. On the other hand, he faces an increasingly difficult situation in the Slovenian capital. He has incurred the wrath of environmentalists and the opposition over the C0 sewerage channel that runs through a water catchment area, and the letter of support he sent to Vučić at the outbreak of anti-corruption protests in Serbia mobilised even his own political camp against him.
The involvement of the Mayor of Ljubljana in the political processes in Serbia is also evidenced by the fact that he actively promoted the Serbian SNS party during the campaign in the Serbian local elections.
We sent a press inquiry to the Municipality of Ljubljana asking whether Zoran Janković, in addition to his Slovenian citizenship, also holds Serbian citizenship. We have not yet received a reply. However, Vučić himself answered the question by saying, “Janković was born in Serbia and has Serbian citizenship.”
A. H.
