Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Friday that Serbia would not allow destabilisation and insisted that “no one is stronger than the state, no matter what support they have from abroad.”
In an interview with state broadcaster RTS, Vučić said unrest in the country was largely driven from abroad, that elections would be held ahead of schedule, and that measures to reduce prices of basic goods would be announced within 10 days.
“There will be no civil war,” Vučić said, adding that the state would continue to act democratically, unlike “those who lecture us from abroad and then beat every protester wherever they appear.”
He described recent protests in Serbia as the “terminal, last phase” for those who “have nothing to offer citizens except beatings, clubs and everything else,” but said the government would be ready for dialogue “once the clubs are put away.”
Vučić confirmed elections would take place before the constitutional deadline, but said the date would be set by the relevant institutions.
“I lead this country responsibly, the best I can. I have tied my fate to Serbia and I’m not going anywhere. I have no villas or accounts abroad. Elections will be held early – and don’t be surprised when they are,” Vučić said.
The president accused some protesters of seeking to take power outside of elections, using methods of “colour revolutions.” He said those seeking to “bring down Serbia” were not based in Belgrade or Novi Sad but abroad, and criticised attacks on the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s offices, which he said had reached 750 incidents. He described some protesters as a “gang” attacking police, praising officers for showing “exceptional patience.”
On economic policy, Vučić said the forthcoming measures to curb prices would be “a permanent antibiotic, not an aspirin,” adding that traders would not be allowed to recover lost profits through “tricks.”
“Our job is to take care of citizens, and we are doing this for the people of Serbia,” Vučić said.