Opposition holds rally in southern town

Serbia’s opposition parties stated at a rally held on Monday evening that early parliamentary elections were needed to solve the country’s many problems. The gathering, held in Krusevac, brought together close to 10,000 people who arrived to the town of Krusevac by bus from all parts of Serbia. Opposition holds rally in southern town Officials of the SNS, DSS and NS parties said that they expect that similar rallies would be held in other cities, including the capital. SerbProgressive Party (SNS) leader Tomislav Nikolic spoke in favor of new elections and a change of government, stating that 2010 is a crucial year for Serbia and that the opposition is not afraid of elections, but that the government needs to fear, "because Serbia has been moving backwards over the last year". “We are not asking to rule, we are asking for elections. The government can worry how everyone will do in the elections. We are not afraid of the results, Serbia is not afraid of our victory. Europe does no have to worry about what will happen if the parties present today win, Russia does not have to worry what will happen, nothing bad will occur. It will only be good, honorable, fair and work-oriented,” he said. “It's high time for Serbia to get up off of its knees,” Nikolic said, adding that the opposition parties will soon begin a new campaign to force early voting. New Serbia (NS) leader Velimir Ilic said that the current government had contributed to the high unemployment rate and poverty, and that Serbia was "moving away from Europe" every day with such policy, adding that the solution would be new elections and a new government that would create a strong and organized Serbia. “The European Union does not want a starving Serbia, which does not work and which is indebted. We support joining the European Union, but not with them (the current government), because with they we are moving further from the Union every day,” he said. Ilic said that the solution was the arrival of a new, strong, expert and uncorrupted government, which would place Serbia on a healthy foundation and move it forward. Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) official Milos Aligrudic said that the citizens of Serbia want changes, and added his party would not only support, "but foster each such demand". He told those gathered that the unemployment rate was high, along with a lack of investments and a destruction of the institutions and national interests, adding that the country was brought to such a situation by “a lying and inept government”, which must be changed. Commenting on the absence of DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica, SNS official Aleksandar Vucic said was "not strange", stating that there would always be differences within the programs of opposition parties, but that he was glad that Aligrudic was at the meeting to represent DSS. Aligrudic said that if all the parties were involved in organizing the rally from the beginning, "Kostunica would have probably been present". (Tanjug)

Opposition holds rally in southern town

Officials of the SNS, DSS and NS parties said that they expect that similar rallies would be held in other cities, including the capital.

SerbProgressive Party (SNS) leader Tomislav Nikolić spoke in favor of new elections and a change of government, stating that 2010 is a crucial year for Serbia and that the opposition is not afraid of elections, but that the government needs to fear, "because Serbia has been moving backwards over the last year".

“We are not asking to rule, we are asking for elections. The government can worry how everyone will do in the elections. We are not afraid of the results, Serbia is not afraid of our victory. Europe does no have to worry about what will happen if the parties present today win, Russia does not have to worry what will happen, nothing bad will occur. It will only be good, honorable, fair and work-oriented,” he said.

“It's high time for Serbia to get up off of its knees,” Nikolić said, adding that the opposition parties will soon begin a new campaign to force early voting.

New Serbia (NS) leader Velimir Ilić said that the current government had contributed to the high unemployment rate and poverty, and that Serbia was "moving away from Europe" every day with such policy, adding that the solution would be new elections and a new government that would create a strong and organized Serbia.

“The European Union does not want a starving Serbia, which does not work and which is indebted. We support joining the European Union, but not with them (the current government), because with they we are moving further from the Union every day,” he said.

Ilić said that the solution was the arrival of a new, strong, expert and uncorrupted government, which would place Serbia on a healthy foundation and move it forward.

Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) official Milos Aligrudić said that the citizens of Serbia want changes, and added his party would not only support, "but foster each such demand".

He told those gathered that the unemployment rate was high, along with a lack of investments and a destruction of the institutions and national interests, adding that the country was brought to such a situation by “a lying and inept government”, which must be changed.

Commenting on the absence of DSS leader Vojislav Koštunica, SNS official Aleksandar Vučić said was "not strange", stating that there would always be differences within the programs of opposition parties, but that he was glad that Aligrudić was at the meeting to represent DSS.

Aligrudić said that if all the parties were involved in organizing the rally from the beginning, "Koštunica would have probably been present".