Serbian economy minister resigns due to structural reform stalemate

Serbian Economy Minister Sasa Radulovic has stepped down in protest after the governing coalition abandoned plans for much-needed structural reforms, local media reported Saturday, according to dpa. Radulovic, an independent politician, bowed out of office because of the governing coalition's "lack of political will" for reform, state broadcaster RTS reported quoting members of his cabinet. The news comes after Serbia's coalition this week abandoned an important draft law affecting labour reforms and privatization plans. The Serbian Progressive Party, the largest member of the coalition, was set to announce on Saturday whether a snap parliamentary election will be conducted. Radulovic said that abandoning the draft legislation was a sign that the government would call for an early election.