Lutovac: The Way Vucic Is Inviting Opposition for Dialogue Shows He Does Not Mean Actual Dialogue

Zoran Lutovac (BETAPHOTO/AMIR HAMZAGIC)

Democratic Party leader Zoran Lutovac has said that the very manner and tone in which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is inviting the opposition for a dialogue are sending a clear message that he "doesn't really mean it," rather that he is addressing the public at home and international stakeholders who expect that from him.

Reacting to Vucic's call to the opposition sent during the president's visit to Mali Zvornik, Lutovac told the Aug. 16 issue of daily Danas that Vucic's "indecent 'invitation'" was in fact a message not to come.

"Vucic's invitation, translated from his propaganda language, actually means: I'm inviting you because it's good to do for marketing reasons, not because I really want a dialogue. 'You have an open invitation' actually means 'you call me and I'll see when I can see you.' That's like someone vaguely telling you in everyday life: see you, drop by," said Lutovac.

During talks with citizens in Mali Zvornik on Aug. 14, Vucic invited the opposition and environmental organizations for a dialogue on lithium exploitation. He invited them to come for talks in parliament or in his presidential office.

Previously, environmental activists from Mali Zvornik who had organized protest rallies in the municipality over announcements of lithium mining refused to attend the meeting with Vucic, believing the whole event to be staged.