Nikolic reacts to criticism after "genetic material" comment

Nikolic reacts to criticism after "genetic material" comment

Nikolic - who came under fire when he said that those unable to have children are often going abroad for help, while "the solution should be here - children should be born here, with the Serb genetic material, with the Serb code, Serb past and Serb future" - told Belgrade-based broadcaster TV Pink that "the Serb nation is in a crisis" while he "only wants Serbia to create the conditions for its citizens, including Serbs, to extend the species."

"That our great-great grandchildren should genetically resemble us, that, if one of their ancestors were to rise, they'd recognize them as their own. Otherwise, anything can happen and experts are warning of that... they only keep silent lest they are attacked," said Nikolic.

Asked whether he was thinking of resigning, as requested by representatives of the opposition after this speech, Nikolic said that anyone who thinks he violated the Constitution should not ask him to resign but should instead initiate a debate in the Assembly and in the Constitutional Court.

The president, speaking about the birthrate in Serbia, said that "nobody wants to talk about the burning problem," which he said was that "20 years ago on in 12 married couples could not have children, while now it is one in six."

"When you talk about something like that, then you always run the risk of being deliberately misunderstood and have what you did not have in mind singled out," said Nikolic.

He said he "did not think that, for example, Hungarians should have to take Serb generic material in the stem cell bank" but that "everyone can choose whether to take genetic material from the Hungarians, Croats..."

Nikolic also said that Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, who criticized him on Monday, behaves "as if he is sitting in a chair with a needle when my name is mentioned, and then jumps before he thinks."

According to the president, "the Serbian nation is in a deep crisis, which is more severe than if the flooding occurred again, because flooding comes and goes but this problem is systematically destroying the nation."

Speaking about other topics, Nikolic said that "it seems April 24 has almost been fixed" as the election date, and that the dissolution of the Assembly is the more likely scenario than the resignation of the prime minister. He is also convinced that the ruling SNS will continue to lead the government after the elections.

Nikolic said that he believes that Serbia should primarily insist on chapter 35 on Kosovo in EU accession negotiations - "that is, to in advance receive the text of the legally binding agreement (between Belgrade and Pristina) in order to know whether what is says can be accepted by us."

However, the president said, "entering all chapters and improving our country is also a good tactic."

Nikolic pointed out that during the new round of dialogue with Pristina on Wednesday the Belgrade delegation should insist on the topics of the verdict handed down to Oliver Ivanovic and the Community of Serb Municipalities.