Serbian Army Union Slams 'Unworthy' Defence Minister

The president of Serbia's Army Union, Novica Antic, has voiced doubts about the expertise and good intentions of new Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

Vulin heads a junior party in the ruling coalition, the Movement of Socialists, and was Serbia's former Labour Minister.

"His appointment was a big surprise for us because he doesn't know the [military] system and is not worthy of the [defence] post because he himself was exempted from military service," Antic told BIRN.

Serbia's parliament on June 29 confirmed Ana Brnabic as the country's new Prime Minister, while then-Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic and Labour Minister Vulin switched posts.

Antic added that as Labour Minister, Vulin had "obstructed" the Army Union, which is why it filed a complaint on June 14.

"We asked the Commission of the Labour Ministry in October last year to confirm our representative nature before the state, so we could invite the government to a discussion on our labour rights.

"Since the Commission didn't decide in our case, the minister was obliged to do so," Antic said, adding that the Army Union filed the ministry all the necessary documents but still never received an answer.

In its complaint, the union said the Minister of Labour "joined those who violate the laws they are obliged to enforce and protect, and who daily and persistently work for the destruction of the Serbian Army and for the violation of the rights of its members".

Antic said he was sceptical about cooperation with the minister because "he had obstructed the work of the Union as the Minister of Labour".

Antic added that when a soldier applies for the job in the Serbian Army, he or she must prove he is competent to be hired.

"One...