Beleaguered Belgrade mayor "prefers direct elections"

BELGRADE Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas has said that early elections in the capital would be "the best solution" if his coalition partners no longer supported him. "I think that elections are fair and democratic. If somebody thinks the work had not been done well, I think that Belgraders should declare themselves, and I also proposed a law under which mayors would be elected in direct elections," the leader of the Democratic Party said on Monday, while touring a health-care center in a Belgrade suburb. Beleaguered Belgrade mayor "prefers direct elections" His comments came as councilors from the Serb Progressive Party (SNS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) submitted a motion for his dismissal from office. Asked what scenario he was expecting to unfold on Tuesday when the City Assembly meets, Djilas said he found that "two plus two equals four", and that he did not wish to occupy himself with scenarios - "because otherwise I would have studied drama instead of mechanical engineering." He then added that his job was "to work 24 hours while serving as mayor," and that this was the manner in which he behaved. Djilas also listed the results that the city authorities achieved during the past five years. According to the Belgrade mayor, "those who were part of the (city) government, but also the opposition in the past five years should be proud of taking part in the work of the city parliament." (Beta, file) Tanjug

Beleaguered Belgrade mayor "prefers direct elections"

His comments came as councilors from the Serb Progressive Party (SNS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) submitted a motion for his dismissal from office.

Asked what scenario he was expecting to unfold on Tuesday when the City Assembly meets, Đilas said he found that "two plus two equals four", and that he did not wish to occupy himself with scenarios - "because otherwise I would have studied drama instead of mechanical engineering."

He then added that his job was "to work 24 hours while serving as mayor," and that this was the manner in which he behaved. Đilas also listed the results that the city authorities achieved during the past five years.

According to the Belgrade mayor, "those who were part of the (city) government, but also the opposition in the past five years should be proud of taking part in the work of the city parliament."