Serbian minister dismissed from duty for untoward remarks

Serbian defense minister Bratislav Gasic was released from duty on Friday after a parliament voted in favor of his removal from office due to sexist comments.

The National Assembly held a session on Friday in Belgrade to discuss and vote on the government's proposal to dismiss Gasic from duty for his insulting and degrading remark two months ago, which provoked protests among journalists and women's rights associations.

The result was 195 out of 250 votes in favor of his dismissal.

The insult was directed toward female journalist Zlatija Labovic prior to Gasic's press conference in the town of Trstenik on Dec. 6, 2015, where journalists knelt in front of Gasic with their microphones in order not to block the view of the cameras. In response, Gasic said he "likes it when journalists kneel."

The Serbian government, journalists and human rights associations were unanimous in the condemnation of such treatment of both journalists and women, and they all asked Gasic to be dismissed.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said prior to the voting that he was asking for Gasic's dismissal "because of decency and politeness that ministers are expected to have" and not, as the opposition claimed, because of his poor results in the government.

"Decency is something that we all need to have, here (in the parliament) and in any other place if we want to live in a country where people respect each other," said Vucic, adding that Gasic, also the vice president of the ruling Progressive Party, had performed well as a defense minister.

Vucic is obliged to put forward a new defense minister within 15 days. Endit