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Serbian defence minister dismissed over offensive remarks
Serbia`s parliament on Friday dismissed Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic over an insulting remark he made to a female journalist.
Belgrade: Serbia`s parliament on Friday dismissed Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic over an insulting remark he made to a female journalist.
Lawmakers voted to sack Gasic two months after the incident that prompted Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic to immediately promise to fire him.
Gasic caused public outrage in early December by making a comment about a woman television reporter who had knelt down to avoid getting in the shot while he was making a statement.
"I like these female journalists who kneel down so easily," Gasic said.
Serbian journalists have held protests fortnightly ever since, demanding that the minister be sacked.
Prime Minister Vucic said he would propose a new minister to the parliament within two weeks.
Gasic, 48, was mayor of the central town of Krusevac before taking office as defence minister in April 2014.
He is one of Vucic`s closest allies and vice-president of the ruling Serbian People`s Party (SNS).