Vladimir Obradović, kandidat for the mayor of Belgrade of the coalition „Serbia against violence,“ stated that the opposition has the strength to organize a large number of people on the streets. He expressed hope that the unfortunate scenes from December 24, when the City Assembly of Belgrade was pelted with stones, will not be repeated.
Obradović emphasized that they always call for peaceful gatherings and protests. He acknowledged that some protests have resulted in minor incidents, but overall, they advocate for peaceful demonstrations. He also noted the importance of holding individuals accountable for any material damage caused during protests.
The candidate for the mayor also addressed the issue of potential government formation, stating that no one from the „Serbia against violence“ coalition will participate in the consultations announced by President Aleksandar Vučić for Monday. He pointed out that their coalition achieved significant growth in the recent elections, and if not for the alleged fraud, they could have independently formed the government.
Obradović highlighted that nobody from the „Serbia against violence“ coalition has attempted to negotiate with Branimir Nestorović’s movement „Mi-glas iz naroda.“
Regarding the observation that the opposition had fewer complaints about the election process compared to 2022, Obradović emphasized that they had submitted extensive complaints to various authorities, including the City Electoral Commission, the Republic Electoral Commission, and the Constitutional Court, and disputed the notion that they had fewer complaints this time.
The candidate also discussed the European Parliament’s resolution, emphasizing that Serbia has committed to certain obligations through the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union. He pointed out that the European Parliament’s resolution contains recommendations for both Serbia and EU institutions, primarily the European Commission, and suggested that there should be a clear division of powers between the parliament and the government.
In conclusion, Obradović expressed his belief that he would not have to return his mandate and that there would be new elections in Belgrade. He mentioned that while he had not technically accepted his mandate, it was announced without his consent, and resigning would only benefit the SNS party. Therefore, they intend to continue serving the interests of the citizens who voted for them.
