Serbian Parliament Votes in New Nationalist Government

Serbia's parliament on Friday voted in a new nationalist-led coalition government headed by Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, who vowed to focus on EU integration and Kosovo dialogue while boosting the economy.

A total of 142 lawmakers in the 250-seat parliament supported the coalition, made up of President Tomislav Nikolic's nationalist Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) which won the May 6 election and Dacic's Socialists.

The Socialists are the third biggest party in parliament but Dacic -- a one-time spokesman for late Serb strongman Slobodan Milosevic -- used his kingmaker position to secure the prime minister post for his party.

Dacic also holds the post of interior minister in his 19-member cabinet.

SNS leader Aleksandar Vucic, who over the party helm after Nikolic stepped down when he became president, will be deputy prime minister -- one of four -- and defense minister.

Ivan Mrkic, a former ambassador to Japan and Cyprus who is not affiliated with any party, becomes foreign minister.

Dacic said as he unveiled his government on Thursday that he would focus on moving his country along the path towards EU membership.

"Our goal is the acceleration of the process of European integration with a maximum effort to get a date for the start of EU accession talks," he said.