Vucic: Pro-government rally no whim, elections a realistic option

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says Friday's pro-government rally in Belgrade, titled A Serbia of Hope, is no "whim" or an attempt to "measure popularity."

"It is an attempt to show that something that someone has made or done not only makes no sense but will also not be allowed to happen," Vucic told the RTS on Tuesday evening.

When asked if elections would be held soon, he responded that they were a "realistic" option.

"When you have crisis situations and when someone is questioning legitimacy in one way or another, that is the best way," he said.

Speaking about opposition protests against violence in Serbia, Vucic said their organisers had proposed only political measures.

"And, in the end, it came to them saying: 'Vucic, resign.' And to calls for a transitional government. I have no problem with that, I have said what needs to be gathered, and we will go to a referendum. As far as a transitional government is concerned, the president of the Republic decides on that in line with the constitution," he said.

He noted that he would not give the mandate to anyone who would "form transitional or non-transitional governments on orders from someone outside the country."

Serbia will be governed by those who are "given the people's trust," Vucic added.