Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said today that Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar will introduce new measures tomorrow, which probably will not include a curfew.
At a press conference in the Presidency building, Vučić said that Brnabić and Lončar will hold a meeting of the Crisis Staff tomorrow, where the final decisions will be made on the tightening of measures to protect against the coronavirus.
"I thought, and I don't hide it, bearing in mind the gravity of the situation and the overcrowded hospitals in Belgrade, that the ban on movement is the best solution," the president said, adding that he cannot introduce a curfew without a previously declared state of emergency.
According to his assessment, the curfew would guarantee a "quick recovery" and other measures would benefit "everyone who wants to please people", stating that milder measures will essentially not bring a quick solution and less infection of citizens.
We are witnessing brutal political violence, right-wingers attacked the National Assembly
Vučić condemned last night's protests organized in front of the National Assembly, evaluating them as an "act of political violence", reports B92.
"Last night in Belgrade, we witnessed the most brutal political violence in the last few years. In the previous eight years, the Republic of Serbia fully respected the freedom of assembly and demonstration, as well as the freedom of dissent," said Vučić.
"Last night, although some tried to justify it with the coronavirus, we witnessed a political protest that was undeclared, it happened that persons with a right-wing orientation attacked the National Assembly building and entered it, which means the commission of at least two criminal acts," said Vučić.
He emphasized that the police reacted only when the gathered persons started to vandalize the building of the National Assembly.
"In the face of all that, the police took legal measures. It was enough for decent and peaceful people to see how these people treated each other and how they mistreated the policemen. Five police vehicles were set on fire, 43 policemen were injured, and one had a fracture. skull"; said Vučić, and then showed photos of police officers, some of whom, according to his statements, were attacked with a knife.
Vučić pointed out that great material damage was caused, as well as damage to Serbia's reputation.
"I understand political frustrations, but we will not allow anyone to destroy the peace in Serbia. This is a message to both those inside and outside," said Vučić.
He called on people not to protest tonight, given that today is the second worst day in terms of the number of infected people.
"I will travel to Paris in the morning instead of tonight. I will be less rested for the talks with Macron, just to show that I am not afraid. I am asking people not to go out so that there are no further terrible infections. Today is our second worst day in terms of 357 people from 8.600 tested. Eleven died. There are 118 patients on ventilators," said Vučić.
Announced the tightening of measures
"We are opening new hospitals for covid. Both Ana (Brnabić) and Lončar believe that there is another chance to tighten the measures, but not to have a curfew. I want to tell the citizens of Serbia that I am against it and that I believe that the only salvation is to we are going to impose a curfew," said Vučić.
He said that "oysters and Molotov cocktails are not a cure for the coronavirus."
"After everything that happened last night, it would be a shame for me to deviate from my words under the pressure of bullies and hooligans. The strength of our team is shown by the fact that I don't decide, but I have to respect the opinion of my friends and colleagues. And I can't do it alone introduce a state of emergency. We do not have a cure for corona, there is no one. There is no vaccine either. It is quite certain that the cure for this society is not knives, oysters and Molotov cocktails. That is why I would only ask people to behave in a disciplined manner, especially in Belgrade. We no longer have solutions", said Vučić.
He emphasized that "there will be no compromise with criminals".
"All those who participated in burning cars and injuring policemen will be punished and there will be no mercy. There will be no compromise with hooligans. We are always ready for political compromises and talks, but only if it is something meaningful," said Vučić.
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