Vucic:Haradinaj's resignation is a political trick

Aleksandar Vucic Serbia President

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj's resignation was "a political trick."

The president explained that the purpose of "the trick" was for Haradinaj to boost his popularity, in order to "destroy his political opponents and become a hero fighting for Kosovo's integrity."

"We predict that he will go to The Hague next week, where he will be released in 48 hours, to return home a big hero for the Albanian people in Kosovo. His popularity will double...Even if they try to find a prime minister-designate, unless he is to Ramush Haradinaj's liking, he will not be appointed," Vucic said at a press conference in Belgrade.

The president said that he expected the aforementioned to cement the victory of the "most diehard Albanian hardliners" in the next vote in Kosovo, which he said would take place in September or October.

"The main goal is to set up a majority without the Serbian List. Members of our people will be used to deal with the List. We are witnessing a great Albanian internal unification and unification with Tirana," Vucic explained.

The Serbian president said that any dialogue with Pristina would be impossible until the election campaign was over, and that in that period Kosovo would definitely not lift taxes on Serbian imports.

Vucic also warned that pressures on Serbia to recognize Kosovo's independence would grow.