More Political Antics Predicted in Balkans in 2018

Serbian FM Ivica Dacic taking selfie at the Media Market, October 27. Photo: Beta/Serbian Foreign Ministry/Ognjen Stevanovic

As the Balkans gets ready for 2018, journalists expect to see a continuation of the usual unorthodox pranks and eccentric statements and acts on the part of politicians.

"I expect even more singing and breaking of locks," predicts Serbian journalist Dejan Anastijevic, referring to the musical stunts of Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who has used many diplomatic opportunities to bellow out a tune.

Dacic once again demonstrated his singing skills in October, by serenading Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a dinner that President Aleksandar Vucic organised for him in Belgrade.

Sırbistan Başbakanı Ivitsa Dačić'in yorumuyla Osman Aga. #Erdoğan #Serbia #Turkey pic.twitter.com/mWx8Z13rcB

— Murat KINACI (@kinacimurat) October 10, 2017

A video of singing Dacic soon went viral.

When it comes to "breaking locks", Anastasijevic was recalling an event from 2013, when the then First Deputy Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, now President, broke the lock on his office door after members of the Flight Control Agency's management asked him to pay them and the Agency's workers a 13th month salary.

"How you are not embarrassed! Go out, I never want to see you again! You never have enough money, and you have the highest salaries in Serbia," Vucic responded, the daily paper Blic reported.

Across the border in neighbouring Bosnia, one journalist also expects to see politicians singing - the same old tune.

Journalist Ivanka Katic said she expected Bosniak presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic, Bosnian Croat presidency member Dragan Covic and Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik all to join in singing: "No one can do us harm".

This song is, incidentally, one of Dodik's...

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