President Aleksandar Vucic: Gatherings in 50 places in Serbia are against blockades, not against "blockaders"

Photo: Tanjug/Vladimir Sporcic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that today's peaceful gatherings of citizens in 50 towns and villages in Serbia are not against "blockaders" (anti-government protesters) - but against blockades.

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"We are never against people, so it's impossible that this is against the blockaders, instead it is against the blockades and the violence," he said during a tour of the premises of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Palilula, a Belgrade municipality.

When asked if he expects the protesters to gather and take to the streets today, the president said that he does not.

He said that the people blocking the streets are "faceless" and hiding because they have nothing to offer.

"Their people are happy not happy to show their true face, there are no such people there, everyone is hiding and has nothing to offer. People feel insecure, they are afraid and they are looking for a return to safety and stability. But with these (upcoming) measures, we have done everything and I believe that this will be very much so welcomed and will make life easier," he said.

Speaking about the recent attacks on SNS party premises, the Serbian president said that "the stupidest" explanation he has heard is that they attacked when they saw there were people inside - and that SNS members showed courage and determination on Monday.

"Because ideas and beliefs are always more important than any table, chair, window, room. And I am very happy to see you. Imagine that criminal mindset, that it bothers them are people there. Are you telling me they should be allowed to attack rooms when there are people inside? You say they were doing the same when the premises were empty," Vucic said, addressing SNS members in Palilula, and added:

"They would be doing what they did in any case. Why is it a lesser sin to attack rooms with people, than empty ones? I can't understand that. I saw someone made a clever comment about it in Novosti (newspaper). 'We (rioters) attacked because they started to gather at the (SNS) premises'. To tell you the truth I don't know what's worse."

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)