Billions for healthcare, higher salaries, an end to politics in schools — Vučić's key messages from Arena

FOTO TANJUG/AMIR HAMZAGIĆ/bs

He also highlighted a new working model for Cabinet members, insisting on direct contact with citizens.

“The government will be ‘on wheels’ and all ministers will be out in the field every day. Not just walking around Paris, Rome and London and pretending to be important,” Vučić said.

2. Tackling the politicization of educational institutions

Speaking about the education system, Vučić said that discipline must be maintained in schools and universities.

“I will not allow our schools and universities to become local branches of political parties, because our pensioners worked hard to build them for all the children of Serbia, not for particular political options,” Vučić said.

He also addressed education workers directly, promising them higher salaries.

“Teachers, you already have good incomes, and you will have even higher ones. Teach the children. If you don’t want to teach them and instead want to use them for political purposes, you will no longer be doing that job. End of story,” Vučić said.

3. More than €1 billion for hospitals and new medicines

Acknowledging mistakes in previous healthcare investment planning, Vučić announced a major funding package for local healthcare facilities.

“€1.304 billion will be spent on 69 hospitals in 60 local municipalities and health centers across Serbia. You will all get proper, new or fully renovated hospitals and health centers,” Vučić said.

He also announced significantly higher spending on the treatment of serious and rare diseases.

“We will introduce new medicines for rare diseases and new innovative medicines... We will fight for the life of every child and every elderly person,” Vučić announced.

4. Special law for southern Serbia and a new funding policy

A change in the distribution of state funds to local governments was announced, with greater support for less-developed areas.

“Much more money will no longer go to the richest and largest municipalities, but to the poorest... We will create a special law, a special program for southern Serbia. We will provide additional incentives for investors and additional support for farmers,” Vučić said.

5. Support for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija

Vučić also confirmed the continuation of the existing policy and support for the Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija.

“We will increase the salaries of our people in Kosovo and Metohija, and we will always stand by them, at every international forum... We will continue to pursue our foreign policy as we have done so far — a policy that is free, independent and sovereign,” he said.

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