Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic proposed a consultative referendum for citizens to say whether he should remain in office, as his words, the protesters after the collapse of the visor at the station in Novi Sad on Friday, in which 14 people died, actually want his resignation, Tanjug reported.
In an interview with the Serbian TV “Happy“ Vucic indicated last night that if more than 50 percent of the citizens vote for his release from the presidency, he will immediately submit his resignation and presidential and parliamentary elections will be scheduled in the country.
At the end of last week, opposition parties, activists and citizens in Serbia staged protests calling for the resignations, including that of Construction Minister Goran Vesic. A new protest is planned for today near the station in Novi Sad.
Vesic announced last night that he would formally resign today, stressing that he does not accept blame for the tragedy, but resigns as a responsible person.
The Serbian president pointed out that those who protested the previous days with demands to establish the responsibility for the tragedy in Novi Sad, actually want his resignation. According to him, the protesters do not mention him by name because they know that he does not have any powers in this department, but in fact they “want his head”.
„I offer it to you on a casserole. Don't (deal) with (Serbian Prime Minister) Milos Vucevic. It won't pass. I offer you a solution. I offer you a great victory. In the parliament, we have a majority of 126 votes. Give us your 70, 80 (votes in the parliament - note ed.) and we will ask for the advisory opinion on a referendum on the release of Aleksandar Vucic“, the Serbian president said.
He said he promised to resign if 50 percent of the people expressed such a wish in a referendum.
„This solves all your problems – you are going to new presidential and new parliamentary elections”, he added.
In the interview for TV “Happy“ Vucic reiterated that responsibility for the accident in Novi Sad is being sought, and it must be “clear and unequivocal”
„It is important firstly our attitude towards the victims, secondly the support and help for the families of the victims, and thirdly – the responsibility. This responsibility should be above all criminal-legal“, emphasized the Serbian president.
The railway station in Novi Sad was officially opened in July this year after a three-year renovation. The authorities claim that the concrete visor above the station's main entrance was not covered by the repair.