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Vučić establishes the "movement for the people and the state"

Politiko 2025-01-25 13:43:05

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, during a rally in Jagodina, announced the establishment of the "movement for the people and the state", which he said would gather around itself the ruling parties and their supporters.

The rally in Jagodina was attended by thousands of supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its coalition partners.

"You are all welcome in the movement, in the movement for great changes," said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

According to him, the reason for forming this movement is that there are things he is not satisfied with.

The rally of Serbian government supporters in Jagodina came as mass protests continue across Serbia, called by students who are blocking universities. The students are demanding that authorities be held accountable for the deaths of 15 people in an accident at the Novi Sad railway station.

A "general strike" was also held on the same day, with a number of businessmen, teachers, education workers, and lawyers joining in and stopping work in protest.

Vučić began his address by saying that Serbia "was attacked today," without providing evidence of who was attacking the state.

"Our people know, Serbia knows, how it is being attacked today, how it is being attacked from outside and from within. Our people know when it is time to stand up and support those about whom many unpleasant things can be said, but at least they know that they have defended Serbia and fought for Serbia," he said.

He accused the parties that were in power after the political changes of October 5, 2000, and that are now in opposition, of "plundering Serbia."

"Today they are preaching to us, they want to return to power and they are using children to return to power," Vučić said.

During the speech in Jagodina, Vučić said that "children belong in schools" and not in protests, referring to the closure of schools across Serbia and the participation of high school students in protests on January 24.

"As for the students, despite the insults and harsh words, I call on them to engage in dialogue and show which demands have not been met. Let them publicly tell us the demands that have not been met. Such demands do not exist," he said.

He reiterated his position that the government has met the students' four demands. Vučić also claimed that there have been no reports to the police of protests and roadblocks across Serbia.

"The police cannot protect you when they don't know that there are gatherings, illegal gatherings. Even today, they haven't reported any gatherings anywhere," he said.

Vučić also said that after the incident during the protest in Novi Beograd, where a student was injured after being hit by a car that crashed into demonstrators, "plainclothes police saved the situation."

During the address, he also said that he would not impose sanctions on Russia "or any other friend."

He also said that he will have "friendly and brotherly relations" with Russia and China and will talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days to find a solution regarding US sanctions on the Serbian Oil Industry.

"Serbia's strength lies in its independence. In protecting our roots, but also our future," he said.

The rally in Jagodina began with the singing of the Serbian anthem by thousands of attendees. It announced the establishment of the new movement.

In addition to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, government ministers from the SNS and coalition partners were also present at the rally.

At the rally alongside Vučić was Ivica Dačić, Minister of Internal Affairs and leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia.

"We must not allow the enemy to create division among us, the citizens of Serbia. We do not want civil war, we want peace and development," Dacic said.

As stated at the beginning of the rally, the "movement for the people and the state" will bring together people who have "different political opinions, different attitudes, different experiences, who are in different political parties, but also those who have never been part of any party and have had no interest in politics."

"But, people who have a common goal. This goal is a stable, strong and winning Serbia. A state with strong institutions. A state that guarantees all citizens equal rights, a society that does not divide people," it was said at the beginning of the rally.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists on the ground in Jagodina, hundreds of buses with signs from other cities were seen approaching the city, transporting supporters of Aleksandar Vučić.

According to REL journalists, Serbian flags and food were given to the gathered supporters of the ruling parties.

As thousands of Serbian government supporters gathered in Jagodina, some of them were also at a party rally near Novi Sad.

Serbian Prime Minister and SNS leader Miloš Vučević said at a party rally that there will be "no violent change of power or transitional government."

"There have been difficult times and everything has passed, this too will pass and there will be no revolution," said Vučević.

"We have never run away from elections. Don't be disappointed again, because when you see photos from rallies, it's one thing, and it's another thing when people go to vote," he added./ REL