Regime Offering Dialogue instead of Snap Elections

Djuro Macut (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut on Dec. 30 said that an election was not a silver bullet that could serve as a solution to every crisis, stressing that problems in the country had to be resolved in dialogue.

“Elections are not a silver bullet that could solve every crisis. It is most important to calm tensions and open a dialogue. The decision on holding elections has to be made responsibly, in accordance with the interests of the state and citizens... Every society has the right to protest, but dialogue must remain the main problem-solving tool. Polarization cannot bring solutions, but such extremes rather delay finding fixes to problems,” Macut told the New Year's issue of Belgrade weekly NIN speaking about the protesting students’ demand for calling early parliamentary elections.

Commenting on criticism of Serbia from the EU and the European Parliament regarding corruption, respect for democracy and fundamental freedoms and the electoral system, Macut said that the government had carefully studied the report, concluding it contained a fair portion of “superficial assessments made for various political reasons, but also some appropriate remarks.” 

“The cabinet, with me at the helm, will always take seriously any criticisms supported by relevant facts, because they contribute to better functioning of our institutions,” Macut said.