Serbian Economy Minister Dismissed After Calling For Belgrade To Impose Sanctions On Russia

Serbian lawmakers voted on July 11 to dismiss Economy Minister Rade Basta, who advocated for the introduction of sanctions against Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, saying that Serbia is paying a heavy price for not introducing them. Basta was elected economy minister as a candidate of the Socialist Party of Serbia and United Serbia. This coalition is a minority partner of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Basta announced last month that he had registered the European Way movement (PEP) and said it would grow into a party and participate in elections at all levels. To read the original story on RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, click here.