Serbia's most important goals are a strong state, an efficient and responsible government, unity, compromise with Europe and dialogue with Pristina, Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said at the start of the election year in which his Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) is gunning for the prime minister's seat.

Wishing citizens a somewhat boring year which will not make breaking news, in an interview for Tanjug Dacic explained that when he says a strong state he means strict, legal, orderly and just state, in which the number of unemployed is not the main piece of information.

"It is in the interest of the citizens of Serbia and the Serb people as a whole that we hit upon a bit more boring and peaceful waters. Since 2012 is an election year, certainly one of the goals is that the election not be a goal unto itself, but the means of getting a government which will be able to run this country efficiently in difficult times."

Dacic went on to say Serbia should be as present as possible in Kosovo and wherever Serb interest are being defended, and the country needs a stable and as European a government as possible - but not at all costs.
"And, of course, we need a government that will accept responsibility," Dacic said.

To achieve its goals in a year which promises to be tumultuous, according to Dacic, Serbia needs a government capable of guiding the country as successfully and painlessly as possible through the economic crisis, defending Serbian interests, and securing an ideal international position "like in the time of (former president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Josip Broz) Tito."

Dacic specified that he is talking about a country which will be strong and big not in terms of territory, but in terms of how much its voice is respected around the world. At the next election, the socialists will compete to win, Dacic said, adding he is certain the SPS, together with its partners, the United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) and United Serbia (JS), will perform better than current prognoses indicate.

"We have no desire to compete for third place. We compete to win at every election. I am sure the coalition, which now has the support of around 14 to 15 percent of the voters according to analysts' predictions, will be an essential factor in forming the government," said Dacic confidently.

He reiterated the SPS is "a reliable partner" and will discuss the formation of the next government first with its current partner - the Democratic Party (DS). Dacic also said it is normal that a party taking part in the election and looking to win would nominate its leader for prime minister.

It is certain that a government can hardly be formed without the SPS/PUPS/JS coalition, Dacic said, cautiously adding - "unless the DS and the Serbian Progressive Party make a deal."