My Kingdom for a Ministership!

There is a consensus that this party would not have any seats in the parliament had it not run in the elections as a part of the Democratic Movement of Serbia (DEPOS). In the interview with VREME, Dusan Mihailovic, the party leader, talks about his party's move and about their readiness to take part in the Government of Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic. (A word "talks" may not be very appropriate in this case because he was not really interviewed. Mihailovic had asked to have the questions in advance and answered them in writing.)

VREME: If the forecasts that other opposition parties will refuse to take part in the Government prove to be correct, is it possible to talk about the government of national unity or will it be another Socialist government where the participation of the New Democracy Party will provide an excuse?

Mihailovic: The New Democracy Party has accepted the idea about the government of national unity along with Dragoslav Avramovic's program of economic recovery. That is the reason why the New Democracy Party will take part in the Government. Others should make their own decision whether they would respect their own pre-election promises. That is their problem. We know what we want and dismiss it as irrelevant whether someone will or will not take part in the Government because of their unfulfilled ambitions or fear of concrete responsibility. We believe that it is crucial for this exhausted people that the program of economic recovery works. What personalities will comprise the government is less important. In my home town of Valjevo there is a sufficient number of clever and capable young people to form several governments. It is important that we do not allow that the national currency and we are never devalued again, as it was the case till practically yesterday.

How many ministerial seats will your party get, what are those seats and have there been any additional concessions?

The New Democracy Party will get as many ministerial seats as it would have got if everybody else joined the government. We do not bargain and would never bargain with ministerial seats. Our principles are clear, we have a clear conscience and clean hands.

Before the elections you negotiated a quota of parliamentary seats for the New Democracy Party within DEPOS. Has a possibility ever been mentioned that a parliamentary group of your party may separate and act independently now when it comes to such an important question such as forming the government?

In order to get the answer to you question you should read the Agreement on the electoral coalition, signed by the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), the New Democracy (ND) and the Civic Alliance (GSS). You as a journalist should know it, but I will remind you that DEPOS had requested in the previous Parliament that three parliamentary groups of DEPOS be formed:

DEPOS-SPO, DEPOS-DSS(the Democratic Party of Serbia) and DEPOS-ND. Why would that be a problem now, if this was demanded last time. The New Democracy is not a branch of the Serbian Renewal Movement, but an independent political party and an equal coalition partner. Therefore, according to the agreement we have the right to be independent to act politically and to decide. The Agreement was signed for the purpose of the electoral coalition. A document on actions of the electoral coalition DEPOS is being compiled at the moment.

How will the participation of your party in the government affect the political future of your party. Will it help her survive or will it have a negative effect with your voters and other opposition parties?

Taking part in the government for us represents a patriotic challenge to join the fight for peace, lifting of sanction, economic revival, privatization and strengthening of the market, the rule of law... It is very easy to criticize the government and watch the deterioration of your own people... Something has to be done to make a change, so that the situatuin improves. And this cannot be done without the Socialists. It is much better and easier if we do it together.

Don't worry about the future of the New Democracy Party. We are not a classical party. The New Democracy does not seek power for the sake of power. We have to be in the Government so that our proposals are taken into consideration. The people will soon judge according to the results, and not according to fervent slogans and fervent speeches.

The time of New Democracy is yet to come, be sure of that. Those who are clever, competent and responsible will have a chance. The election slogan of DEPOS was, "There is a chance." Until now the Socialists never thought of a possibility to share power, now when they are ready to do that, the opposition hasn't got a clue what to do with power?! Or is it afraid of the responsibility?! The New Democracy Party knows what to do with it and is not afraid.