Coalition partners can't see eye to eye on gay parade

Deputy PM, Interior Minister and SPS party leader Ivica Dacic on Monday called on politicians to show "tact" ahead of this year's Pride Parade in Belgrade. But his coalition partner and Jagodina Mayor Dragan Markovic was once again heard stating that the LGBT population was "ill". Coalition partners can't see eye to eye on gay parade "I am calling on politicians to, in their statements, bear in mind the role of the MUP (Serbian police)," Dacic said in Jagodina, and noted that there were "serious risks". "We're not discussing our personal stances, we're talking about MUP's obligation to secure a public gathering when a social group or organization wishes to organize it," said he. "We must consider that as Serbia is ahead of a decision on its candidate status and start of negotiations (with the EU), while there are problems and a crisis in Kosovo, an event with big incidents would not work in favor of Serbia and the Serbian citizens," according to Dacic. Asked whether his coalition partner Dragan Markovic Palma's opinion on gay parades had "softened", Dacic replied that it was not the MUP that organized the event, but rather "activists of their organization." "This is not a question for the MUP, we don't engage in politics," concluded the minister. According to unconfirmed information, this year's gay parade in Belgrade will be held in September. Last year, the gathering was marred by serious riots in downtown Belgrade. Last year's event in Belgrade (Beta) "It's an illness" Jagodina Mayor Dragan Markovic also addressed the issue on Monday to say that he, and his party - United Serbia (JS) - did not change their stance about the gay parade, or about "that population". "We have not changed our stance, but I am not in favor of violence, let the demonstrations be peaceful, but without showing homosexuality, which I consider an illness, in the streets," he was quoted as saying. "My personal position and that of my party is against any gathering where homosexuals demonstrate, especially in Belgrade, because they wish to present as normal something that's an illness," said Markovic.

Coalition partners can't see eye to eye on gay parade

"I am calling on politicians to, in their statements, bear in mind the role of the MUP (Serbian police)," Dačić said in Jagodina, and noted that there were "serious risks".

"We're not discussing our personal stances, we're talking about MUP's obligation to secure a public gathering when a social group or organization wishes to organize it," said he.

"We must consider that as Serbia is ahead of a decision on its candidate status and start of negotiations (with the EU), while there are problems and a crisis in Kosovo, an event with big incidents would not work in favor of Serbia and the Serbian citizens," according to Dačić.

Asked whether his coalition partner Dragan Marković Palma's opinion on gay parades had "softened", Dačić replied that it was not the MUP that organized the event, but rather "activists of their organization."

"This is not a question for the MUP, we don't engage in politics," concluded the minister.

According to unconfirmed information, this year's gay parade in Belgrade will be held in September. Last year, the gathering was marred by serious riots in downtown Belgrade.

"It's an illness"

Jagodina Mayor Dragan Marković also addressed the issue on Monday to say that he, and his party - United Serbia (JS) - did not change their stance about the gay parade, or about "that population".

"We have not changed our stance, but I am not in favor of violence, let the demonstrations be peaceful, but without showing homosexuality, which I consider an illness, in the streets," he was quoted as saying.

"My personal position and that of my party is against any gathering where homosexuals demonstrate, especially in Belgrade, because they wish to present as normal something that's an illness," said Marković.