Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday that while everyone expected him to be afraid and change his mind as March 15 approaches, there will be no transitional government “as long as he is alive.”

A large student-led rally is scheduled to be held on March 15 in Belgrade.

Vucic called on all parties not to incite unrest at the rally and urged citizens not to attempt to compromise the peace and stability of the country.

He reiterated that the gathering is “illegal,” but emphasized that Serbia is “an exceptionally democratic country” and that, “instead of the truncheons that Germany or France would use,” the Serbian government will do its best to ensure that the rally is fully secured and peaceful.

“We will do our best to ensure the safety of participants at that rally and to protect all other people, including those in Pioneers’ Park and all institutions, from that rally,” Vucic said.

A group of people claiming to be students and identifying themselves as Students 2.0 and as “students who want to study”, last week set up camp in Pioneers’ Park outside the Serbian Presidency building in Belgrade, demanding a return to classes.

Vucic added that those who disturb the peace will be strictly punished, and that anyone attacking the rally, despite it being illegal, will be immediately arrested.

The president described reports of truncheons and Molotov cocktails found in a car in Belgrade as “disturbing” and called on the police not to use force “unless absolutely necessary.”