Aleksandar Vucic calls the protesters to discussions, after nine months of anti -corruption protests in Serbia
Aleksandar Vucic, photo: Andrej Tarfila / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
Serbia's populist president Aleksandar Vucic appealed on a dialogue with anti-government protesters on Friday, after more than nine months of demonstrations that have tested his authority, notes Reuters.
In a television speech in his Belgrade office, Vucic said he was prepared to talk to students and other protesters, including in television debates.
“I propose … discussions and debates on all our television stations, on all (online) portals, with legitimate representatives, that is, those they choose,” said Vucic.
The protest months in Serbia were triggered by the death of 16 people, after the roof of a renovated station in Novi Sad collapsed in November last year.
The protesters blame corruption for the tragedy at the train station and demand early elections, hoping to remove Vucic and his party. They also accuse the government of using violence against political rivals and restricts the freedom of the press. The executive rejects all the charges.
The demonstrations were largely peaceful until the beginning of this month, when dozens of police and civilians were injured in confrontations, and hundreds of people were detained.
“I want to face our visions … to solve this through dialogue and conversation … without conflict, without violence. Let's rebuild the country, to bring it back on the road that was nine months ago,” said Vucic.
Savo Manojlović, the leader of the Centristic Opposition Party “Move-Change”, rejected the possibility of discussions.
“A president resorting to violence is not someone with whom you can debate political issues. This is a corrupt government, which steps on democracy and human rights,” said Manojlović. “Do not make a fire unit with a pyroman.”
The second and last five-year presidential term of Vucic ends in 2027, in which parliamentary elections are scheduled.
Student representatives said they would accept a Vucic debate only during the election campaign.
“Vucic does not respond to the popular revolt … we will debate … During the campaign, after the election announcement,” the students from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade said.
