Vucic: Early elections to be held when competent institutions decide

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday evening he was governed by state interests rather than by party interests and that, for that reason, early parliamentary elections would be held when competent institutions decided for them to be held.

Vucic said this in a public address, when asked to comment on a statement by Serbian Academy of Science and Arts member Radomir Saicic, who said Vucic's resignation and early parliamentary elections were the only way out of the current political and social crisis in the country.

"Those who are now calling for elections have never been interested in the state and they cannot understand when someone is governed by state interests," he said.

He said the results of upcoming local polls in Zajecar and Kosjeric would show that early parliamentary elections would suit him and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, but noted that they would "not suit the state."

"They have never been interested in the state and the people. The only thing they have been interested in is how they can get a bit more money," Vucic added.