Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced this evening that a new government is expected to be established by March 19 or 20, or else early parliamentary elections will take place.

He mentioned that by February 17 or 18, Parliament should officially accept the resignations of the government and Prime Minister Miloš Vučević. This would initiate a 30-day period for either forming a new government or calling for elections.

Vučić informed Radio Television of Serbia that if the new government is not formed by March 19 or 20, “it indicates that elections would occur in early May.”

“These are the only two possible scenarios… as mandated by the Constitution,” he stated.

He emphasized the importance of forming “a competent government,” noting its significance particularly in relation to the Specialized World Exhibition EXPO 2027 in Belgrade.

Concerning the student protests and their dismissal of his invitation for dialogue, Vučić expressed his intention to persist in urging conversations, commending the courage of students over some professors.

“Students have a structure called the ‘grand meeting of delegates’ – if I’m not mistaken… and I hope they will seriously consider this,” he remarked.

He dismissed the proposal to establish citizens’ commissions regarding the collapse of the Novi Sad Railway Station canopy on November 1 last year, which resulted in 15 fatalities.

“If you ask me whether I believe in such citizens’ commissions replacing prosecutors and courts… that’s alarming. While I do understand the reasoning, there’s no justification for it,” Vučić stated.

He expressed confidence that “those students” who refuse to engage with him, prosecutors, or others will “evaluate their stance.”

“They need to realize that this (protests and blockades) must conclude and that eventually, they should return as victors, having some control over future developments from their viewpoint,” Vučić added.

Vučić also remarked that “as a seasoned politician, I pondered how the professors would justify their rejection of my dialogue proposal,” concluding that “the justification was absent and devoid of meaning.”

He mentioned he was not offended or vain about their response.

“I will continue to advocate for dialogue and I am indifferent regarding who participates,” Vučić affirmed.

He urged all his supporters and the majority in Serbia to maintain “absolute discipline.”

“Our responsibility is to remain steady, ensuring that impatience and anxiety do not lead us to make any missteps,” he explained.

Vučić commented that “these young people (students) are our future” and underscored the need to “protect them”, noting that “if an incident arises, it only benefits others.”

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