Slobodan Cvetković (Serbian: Слободан Цветковић; born 28 June 1974) is a Serbian politician serving as minister of economy since 2023. A member of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), he previously held high-ranking positions inside the SPS branch in Vojvodina.
Slobodan Cvetković | |
|---|---|
Слободан Цветковић | |
| Minister of Economy | |
| Assumed office 6 September 2023 | |
| Prime Minister | Ana Brnabić |
| Preceded by | Rade Basta Siniša Mali (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1974 Novi Sad, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Political party | SPS (2007–present) |
| Alma mater | University "Braća Karić" |
| Occupation | Politician |
Early life edit
Slobodan Cvetković was born on 28 June 1974 in Novi Sad, Socialist Republic of Serbia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.[1][2] He was educated in his hometown; he earned his master's degree at the University "Braća Karić", a university owned by businessmen Bogoljub Karić and Dragomir Karić.[1] After earning his master's degree, Cvetković began working at the Faculty of Enterprising Management of the University "Braća Karić".[1]
Career edit
Cvetković previously served as director of "Sport Centre" in Beočin and as the assistant provincial secretary for Culture and Public Information in the government of Vojvodina.[1] In 2014, he was appointed director of the Novi Sad Fair and he served in that role until his appointment in the government of Serbia in 2023.[2][3] The Anti-Corruption Agency reported that Cvetković's monthly earning for that role was RSD 235,000.[3]
Cvetković joined the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) in 2007 and became a member of its provincial branch in 2011.[1] In 2012, he was elected president of the SPS board in Novi Sad.[1][2] He also served as a member of the executive board of the main board and executive board of the provincial board of SPS.[1]
He is a staunch supporter of the current president of SPS, Ivica Dačić.[4]
Minister of Economy edit
The government of Serbia presented Cvetković to the National Assembly of Serbia as a candidate for the minister of economy in July 2023.[2][5] The position was previously held by Rade Basta until he was dismissed in June 2023.[6] Basta was then succeeded by Siniša Mali who served in the acting capacity.[6] Cvetković was elected by the National Assembly on 6 September with 148 votes in favour.[7] Opposition parties did not vote in Cvetković's election; they also criticised his appointment due to not having previous experience in the area of economics.[4][6]
Personal life edit
Cvetković has stated in his biography that he was previously a kayaker.[1] Alongside his native Serbian, he also speaks English.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Slobodan Cvetković". Istinomer (in Serbian). Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Poslanik SPS predložen za novog ministra privrede" [SPS MP proposed as new economy minister]. N1 (in Serbian). 26 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Direktor Sajma, naslednik Baste i kadar SPS: Ko je Slobodan Cvetković, kandidat za ministra privrede" [Director of the Fair, Basta's successor and a SPS staff member: Who is Slobodan Cvetković, the candidate for minister of economy]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 5 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Kandidat za ministra privrede Slobodan Cvetković bez dana provedenog u privredi: Opozicija o najavljenom nasledniku Radeta Baste u Vladi Srbije" [Candidate for Minister of Economy Slobodan Cvetković, without a day spent in the economy: Opposition on the announced successor of Rade Basta in the government of Serbia]. Danas (in Serbian). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ "Dačićev čovek od poverenja: Ko je Slobodan Cvetković, kandidat Ane Brnabić za ministra privrede?" [Dačić's man that he can trust: Who is Slobodan Cvetković, Ana Brnabić's candidate for the minister of economy?]. Danas (in Serbian). 27 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "Skupština Srbije izabrala Slobodana Cvetkovića za ministra privrede" [The National Assembly of Serbia elects Slobodan Cvetković as minister of economy]. N1 (in Serbian). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ "Izabran novi ministar privrede Srbije, deo opozicije ometao glasanje" [New minister of economy has been elected, part of the opposition obstructed the vote]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.