Vucic resigns: Whoever comes to power will have to protect the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic resigned as head of state this evening and, addressing the public, said, among other things, that whoever came to power after the parliamentary elections would have to preserve peace and stability while protecting Serbia’s national interests and, above all, the Serbian people in Kosovo.

“Whoever earns the trust of the people will have to preserve peace and stability while protecting our national interests and, above all, our people in Kosovo and Metohija. They must not give in to those who will try to persuade whoever is in power that it would be best for us to relinquish Kosovo and Metohija as soon as possible, because that way we would no longer be looking to the past but to the future,” Vucic stressed.

He said that whoever came to power would have to resist such pressure.

He added that, while continuing on its European path, Serbia would have to preserve its traditional friendships in the East and accelerate its economic development.

Vucic thanked citizens for electing him President for two terms.

“I am grateful to the citizens who placed their trust in me on two occasions and entrusted me with the highest office and responsibility that a person can be given,” Vucic said.

He said he was particularly proud of the state of Serbia’s road network, noting that 686 kilometers of motorways and expressways had been built over the past 13 years, with another 399 kilometers currently under construction. He added that more than 100 factories and production facilities had opened during his tenure.

Regarding foreign policy, Vucic said it had been difficult to conduct.

“Nothing was ever simple or easy for us anywhere. Nor will it be in the future. I am grateful to our Chinese friends, who have helped us greatly over the past period. I am pleased that we are launching a Strategic Dialogue with the Americans. I am pleased with the good talks with both Putin and Macron. And I believe that, in doing so, I have left something to those who will come after me—first and foremost the Government of Serbia, and later Serbia’s new President,” Vucic said.

He also announced that, on the penultimate day of his presidential term, he had decided to grant pardons and clemency to 49 people.

Vucic announced that tomorrow he would hand over his duties to Serbian National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic, who would assume the role of Acting President.

“By the end of December, in accordance with the Constitution and the law, we will have a presidential election. The first round will be held,” Vucic said. Recalling that parliamentary elections would take place on October 25, he explained that he was resigning even though the law did not require him to do so because he did not want to enter the campaign while holding the office of President.

He then signed his resignation publicly, which will be forwarded to Parliament.