Vucic on SPS decision: No reason for drama, we expect no help in forming government after election

Vucic said the SPS has “always run independently” in parliamentary elections and that the decision by the party leadership was “nothing new.”

“I have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of other political parties, but I see no reason for any drama, especially because someone has decided to run independently in the election. I wish them all the best. We will fight to beat them, just as we will all the others. We are not the so-called student list without students, banning people from running in elections or putting any kind of pressure on them,” Vucic said.

He described the SPS as “a party worthy of respect” and its voters as “patriotic and committed to the state.”

“When we talked in the past and had a closer or common approach, we always weighed whether to run together or separately, depending on which option could attract more votes. But, to be completely open, that is not what this is about this time. As for what surprised me, I would rather not discuss that publicly. We are not closing the door on anyone, but we do not expect anyone’s help after the election. If we cannot secure a majority on our own, it will be clear to us that we have lost the majority,” Vucic said.

He added that a decision on whether to continue cooperation with the SPS would be made after the election.

“Whether we continue or not is something we will discuss once the election is over. They may end up with someone else, or they may end up with us, but that will be for whoever wins the election to decide. That is the most important thing,” Vucic said.

SPS leader Ivica Dacic previously said that his party would run independently in the election, dismissing speculation that behind-the-scenes talks were under way with the Serbian Progressive Party on forming a pre-election coalition.