One of the leaders of the Alliance for Serbia (SzS) opposition grouping told N1 that anti-government rallies across Serbia at which people showed their discontent with the current regime and system which President Aleksandar Vucic symbolised, were more important than who addressed them.

“I’m honoured that people like academicians, journalists, professors and other public figures speak to the crowd. I believe it’s more important for Serbia to hear them than the politicians. It is crucial who walk behind, and tens of thousands do,” Djilas told the N1 morning programme.

He said the protests were spreading across the country, proving “people don’t want to live in these catastrophic conditions any longer while someone insults their intelligence by saying it is getting better every day.”

“No one asks anyone whether they are members of a political party or what they do for living thanks to the energy and synergy developing in the streets,” Djilas said.

He added he returned to politics to help “those to go,” but “whether I will come back to assume a position, is something irrelevant.”

Djilas, former Belgrade Mayor and ex-leader of the Democratic Party, reiterated he did not accept any offer to become “a part of this regime.”

“I never kneeled,” he said, adding he thanked Vucic for approving money for a basketball tournament. “That’s courtesy.”

Speaking about the future actions his Alliance will take, he said the first move was “not to participate in elections before the rules change,” adding the boycott was a legitimate tool in fighting against the regime.

“It is important to walk out from all parliaments and assemblies since there is no democracy, no discussion there, only insults,” Djilas said.

But, he added, “that was not enough. The election rules do not guarantee that something will change, the essence comes after the vote.”