Vucic happy with results, comments on protests against him

Vucic happy with results, comments on protests against him

According to Vucic, who won the April 2 election in the first round with about 55 percent of the vote, "all public opinion polls" show that with the protests, "things changed in our favor, our opponents have fallen dramatically."

The Serbian prime minister added that in the repeat elections, his opponents took "at least twice less than nine days ago."

Vucic then noted that in 2004 he "conceded defeat by 4,000 votes by 22:00 hours," while former DS leader and President Boris Tadic "conceded defeat by 50,000 votes to Tomislav Nikolic at 22:00 hours (on election night)."

"Some have not conceded even with a million an a half... do you really think the people don't know how to declare themselves?," Vucic asked.

"In the first round, nine days ago, we had 53.84 percent in those polling stations. Today, nine days later, after nine days during which our victory has been denied, without them knowing how to concede defeat, with street protests organized, after the heaviest media campaign against us, we won 71.66 percent. People have understood what is going on in Serbia. We want to work, our country to move forward. We want stability and peace, we don't want our country's destruction, we won't allow anyone to do that," Vucic said.

He read out the results from the eight polling stations, announcing that he won 78.1 percent in Topola, 77.72 percent in Pancevo, 54.53 percent in Zvezdara (Belgrade), 78.24 percent in Zrenjanin, 74 percent in Vrsac, 77 percent in Backa Palanka, 70.5 percent in Vrbas, and 65 percent in Kraljevo.

Vucic described his own behavior during the past nine days as "presidential" - as he "has not responded to the numerous insults."

Asked whether he would speak with the student protesting across Serbia, Vucic said that he would not "speak in the language of blackmail with anyone."

Also on Tuesday, several thousand people gathered in Belgrade for their ninth "Protest Against Dictatorship" that lasted for about three hours, organized by those dissatisfied with the outcome of the presidential elections.

A new protest will be held on Wednesday evening.