RUŽIĆ: “If I had gone to Pionirski Park I would have received a medal, not a suspension for walking on the day of the student gathering”!

Branko Ružić, senior official of SPS who was suspended from the party for six months yesterday, said this morning that he is happy if the Socialist Party’s decision to suspend him from all functions “made at least one person happy.”

Appearing on the TV Nova show “Pokreni se” (“Get Moving”), Ružić said that this decision is a “herald of spring,” because institutions have started functioning.

“Albeit, party institutions,” said Ružić, adding that he will respect the SPS’s decision and will exercise his right to appeal.

As a reminder, Ružić was suspended from all party functions last night for six months due to his participation in the March 15 demonstrations this year.

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“I CAN WALK THROUGH MY CITY, AND THOSE WHO CAN’T – THAT’S A QUESTION FOR THEM”

“I didn’t go to the demonstrations, I participated in a walk. There were many people. I tried to get through to Pionirski Park. Had I succeeded, I would’ve gotten a plaque or a medal, not a suspension,” said Ružić, adding that he was “joking and being sarcastic.”

Ružić added that his “walk coincided with an army of people on the streets.”

“The walk was good, and I recommend that cardio program to many,” said Ružić.

He stated that “the point is that Belgrade is supposed to be a free city and Serbia a well-ordered country.”

“I suppose I can walk through my city. Those who can’t, that’s a question for them,” Ružić said.

“I HAVE TO SEE WHO STOLE THE STATE FROM WHOM”

When asked by “Pokreni se” host and editor Marko Novičić whether he will join the walk next week at a rally of supporters of Aleksandar Vučić, Ružić replied that he saw a rally being announced “for citizens to take back a stolen state.”

“I’ll see where I am on the 12th, and I have to think about whether the state was stolen and by whom it was stolen,” said Ružić.

Asked about his relationship with Vučić, Ružić said he “has no relationship.”

STUDENTS SHOULD DECIDE WHAT KIND OF ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD

Ružić believes that the primary goal of the new government should be resolving the crisis in society, for which he says “the ruling establishment bears the greatest responsibility.”

He added that “it would be fine” if students, as a new political factor, determined how to reach an agreement on what kind of next elections should be held.

“That would be healing for this society, but I am just an ordinary, low-level member of the SPS, so it doesn’t look like I’m giving anyone ideas,” Ružić said.

Speaking about the students, Ružić said that “this face of Serbia is interesting.”

“I think that energy needs to be articulated. If they articulate into a political movement, they could become my political opponents. That’s why it’s important that the crisis is resolved through institutions, through dialogue,” said Ružić.

“SIT CROOKED – SPEAK STRAIGHT”

Ružić says the key word in this crisis is “trust.”

“Trust in institutions has been lost, society is becoming polarized, I could be Giordano Bruno, burned at the stake, but sit crooked – speak straight. I appeal, if anyone is listening, for dialogue and a resolution to the problem,” said Ružić.

“SEE YOU ON OCTOBER 5”

Ružić explained that his appearance on the show “Pokreni se” coincided with the SPS’s decision to suspend him, saying the appearance “was agreed a month ago.”

When asked by Marko Novičić if he would appear again, Ružić said:

“We’ll talk again somewhere around October 5,” said Ružić, adding that’s when his suspension ends.