Vučić makes statesmanlike call for peace: "People's lives matter more to me than a show of political power"

Postavi kao omiljeni Google izvor

“Before that, I wanted and planned to address the people of Novi Sad on Friday, September 4. I am informing you that we will postpone that address and the rally because, for me, people’s lives are the most important,” Vučić said.

Speaking about the tragedy at the Novi Sad railway station, where a canopy collapsed on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people, Vučić said the disaster had affected and changed everyone in Serbia.

“Everywhere I have gone, I have not only paid tribute to those people but have spoken clearly and unequivocally that responsibility must be established. If there are those responsible, they must be held accountable and punished,” he said.

He said he was not satisfied with the pace of the proceedings or with prosecutors’ decisions, but stressed that he would not determine responsibility as president and that such decisions must be made by the institutions.

“I am sure no one is happy with the pace of the proceedings. I am sure no one is happy with the rulings or decisions of the prosecutors — any of them. But I will not make that decision as president, nor will those people. Our institutions will make it,” Vučić said.

Addressing the protests and the political situation in the country, Vučić said some individuals had attempted to “use violence to get their own justice.”

“Justice is never violence, and violence is never justice,” he said.

Vučić also said that those who claimed they were interested only in justice had shown that they were more interested in political office.

“They have shown that they care about positions and want those positions more than anything, and at any cost. That is, after all, legal and legitimate, although it is not exactly moral,” Vučić said.

According to Vučić, elections will be held early and the authorities will “accommodate” those calling for them.

Speaking about the planned rally in Novi Sad, Vučić said he did not want tens of thousands of people to gather simply for political promotion and a display of political strength, with the potential for clashes.

“The police would not be protecting you from them. The police would be protecting them from angry citizens who can no longer tolerate the terror in the streets. But to me, both sides are citizens; to me, both sides are people. To me, as president, both sides are sisters and brothers,” he said.

Vučić said he was not happy about postponing the rally, although he expected many to be disappointed, including members of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and friends who wanted the event to go ahead.

“I know many people here will be delighted and will say that I am a coward, that I am afraid and that I will never come. Of course I will come, and we will win in Novi Sad,” Vučić said.

He stressed that the decision was being made for the sake of citizens, not for himself or his party.

“I am doing this much more for them than for us, but I am doing it for all the citizens of Serbia,” he added.

Vučić said that peace and stability had been preserved in Serbia over the past two years despite what he described as “enormous efforts” and numerous incidents.

“I want peace and stability. I am happy because we have saved lives. People can judge for themselves whose policy is responsible and serious, and whose is not,” Vučić said.

He urged citizens to consider whether they wanted to live in a country where dissenting political views are not tolerated.

“Just think about whether you, respected citizens, want to live in a country where someone, even while in opposition, does not want to allow you to hold a different political opinion. You can imagine what they would do if they were in power,” he said.

To those disappointed by the postponement of the rally, he said he would nevertheless come to Novi Sad.

“We will be in Novi Sad. We will hold a decent, peaceful event, without clashes, and we will win. Just as United Serbia will win across the entire territory of our beautiful country,” Vučić concluded.