Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric steps down

Photo collage: Shutterstock, Tanjug/Nenad Mihajlovic

Milan Djuric has resigned as the mayor of Novi Sad.

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"As a responsible man and a responsible politician, I am submitting my irrevocable resignation," a statement from his cabinet said on Tuesday.

"Stability and calming tensions and stopping further divisions in society are the key conditions for more progress and development of Novi Sad and improvement of the lives of the people in Novi Sad. At a time when society is facing enormous tensions, which are compounding, threatening to cause further and deeper divisions, including the latest violent attack on a student, to whom I wish a speedy recovery, as someone who believes in the power of dialogue and mutual understanding, I believe that accepting responsibility and resigning is my human and political obligation and moral duty. Once again, I call on the police to find the attackers on the student as soon as possible, and for the judicial authorities to punish them in accordance with the law," the statement said.

Resigning is not an expression of weakness or retreat in the face of challenges, but an act of assuming responsibility and opening space to restore trust among citizens, he noted.

"This decision is an expression of my deep respect for Novi Sad residents and my faith in democratic processes and faith that in this way I will contribute to calming tensions and creating space for constructive dialogue and the continuation of projects to further improve the lives of everyone in Novi Sad. I am proud of everything we have done in previous years for the city of Novi Sad and the people of Novi Sad.

Novi Sad is a city where two bridges are under construction, and the construction of three more will begin. A city where the average salary reached nearly 115,000 dinars. And the city's budget reached 47.9 billion dinars. I am sure that we will continue to build a future based on justice, responsibility and mutual respect," Djuric stated.

Previously, Prime Minister of Serbia Milos Vucevic also submitted his irrevocable resignation.

The Government of Serbia is now in a caretaker mandate.

(Telegraf.rs)