Djilas: Electoral Victory for Opposition Quite Possible

Dragan Djilas, Miroslav Aleksic, Belgrade, Nov.29 2021 (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)

Dragan Djilas, the president of the Freedom and Justice Party, has said that it is quite possible that the opposition will win more votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections than the Serbian Progressive Party's ticket. Djilas also believes it is likely that the opposition will assume power in Belgrade and see its own candidate in the second round of presidential elections.

"This is what our research has been telling us for over a year," Djilas told the latest edition of the NIN weekly. "But [it's] also [what] our conversations with people throughout Serbia [have told us]... I know how people reacted to us two years ago, and how they react now," Djilas said, stressing that he and his associates "have traveled the whole country."

Despite all the current campaigning, which has not been without effect, Djilas claims he is "absolutely convinced that [the people] will see a new Serbia come April."

The Freedom and Justice leader further stated that he has "always advocated a unified ticket for everyone who is not collaborating with Aleksandar Vucic in any way." This fundamental principle, he says, is what has drawn him and his collaborators together. "[T]here are other such organizations", he notes, "such as those rallying for the green agenda." The environmentalists, however, "believe they should run independently," says Djilas, adding: "I respect that, although I believe it's better if we all stand together."

Djilas further stated that the energy of the protests cannot dissipate because "it always lingers somewhere." According to him, people have taken to the streets not only over the Law on Expropriation but because of everything that has been happening. However, he is of the opinion that no political organization has any grounds to add to the protesters' demands.