New Democratic Party of Serbia Leader Encourages Protesting Students To Endorse Proposal on Setting Up a Provisional Government

Milos Jovanovic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Milos Jovanovic, the leader of the opposition New Democratic Party of Serbia, on April 8 called on the protesting students, who have been blocking the University of Belgrade, to accept a proposal initiated by the opposition parties represented in the Serbian Parliament and civic initiative ProGlas on forming an emergency government, and to join forces to make it a reality.  

“If we also lose this battle, then (Serbian President) Aleksandar Vucic can continue trampling over us, but I believe there is no chance of failing,” Jovanovic told TV N1.

Jovanovic also said he could not understand the position of a smaller part of the opposition talking about a snap election, while there was a good proposal on the table for setting up an emergency government. He stressed that the option of going to the polls was “an exit strategy desired only by Vucic.”

Speaking about activities of the opposition, Jovanovic said that the opposition was a very diverse landscape, but that they had agreed on a provisional government relatively easily and quickly. He added that they had even agreed on a modality and the composition of such cabinet, which should comprise of political figures and experts, although he had personally supported a provisional leadership comprised of only political figures.

“The only option we have left is to create a joint front, and I will have no problem if I will not be its frontman, nor should anyone else, and to achieve our goal by exerting stronger pressure on the regime. How realistic is a provisional government depends on our capacity to exert pressure on the regime, and I personally claim that if we succeeded, Vucic’s resignation would not be unrealistic either,” he said.

Jovanovic added that further enlargement of this front would be extremely good for “everyone who wants a free Serbia, a normal state, for functioning institutions, and are against the Serbian Progressive Party and corruption.”