PM Djuro Macut: Ministers should be more hands-on, it's time to consider government reshuffle

Photo: Tanjug/Ana Paunkovic

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut said today that ministers and directors of public companies must be more hands-on and more present on the ground, and that it is time to think about changes in the government, perhaps as soon as this spring.

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"I think it's finally time to be accountable based on how much you engage, but not only how much, but also in what way, that you have responsibility towards something through your behavior or actions. It's necessary to think about a reshuffle. I think it's time to do it periodically and maybe it's time to think about it in the spring," Macut told RTS.

Analyzing a thematic government session on the state's key strategic issues which was held on Sunday, he said that it provided an insight into the situation, allowing the participants to see where the current and future problems are.

He stressed that all members of the government have completely clear and defined work goals that must be accomplished.

"We need to advance those goals, to speed them up... I will be fully in touch with them now, they have clear frameworks and must report on all this, but not only members of the government, but also directors of numerous public companies and other institutions that are connected with the government and the state system. Everyone is under some kind of scrutiny, to somehow stimulate engagement, to fulfill goals" said Macut.

When asked what he expects from the ministers, after criticism was heard at the thematic government session, Macut said that everyone must be more hands-on and get out of their cabinets, and that "the system must be reset" to end inertia.

An example of this the prime minister mentioned was the recent situation in the country regarding electricity supply, when he visited the Zlatibor District to witness the situation for himself.

"We have to get out of the cabinets and see what is on the ground, whether it concerns education, science or healthcare, economic activities or infrastructure projects. There are ministers who go out to the field more, others who do it less, they think that maybe their work is more related to the office," said Macut.

The prime minister added that this applies not only to ministers but also to directors of public companies and other institutions.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)