Grigol Gegelia: Serbia’s victory is the victory of the nation and democracy against autocracy and an example that no repression, oppression or ban on parties can stand against the will of the people

Serbia’s victory is the victory of the nation and democracy against autocracy and an example that no repression, oppression or ban on parties can stand against the will of the people, – this was stated by Foreign Secretary of “Lelo – Strong Georgia” Grigol Gegelia in response to Vučić’s defeat in Serbia.

According to him, Serbia was for centuries Russia’s most traditional and closest ally, and Vučić’s defeat and Serbia’s democratic victory mean “the acceleration of European integration, overcoming corruption and establishing the rule of law.”

“I would like to congratulate the entire Serbian nation on the brilliant victory against Vučić’s autocratic regime. From today there is one fewer ‘Kotsi’ holding the reins of power in the world. Recently Russia has been defeated; in Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Armenia and now already in Serbia as well, which for centuries was Russia’s most traditional and closest ally in the entire region. In exactly the same way Russia will be defeated in Georgia too. Serbia’s democratic victory means the acceleration of Serbia’s European integration, overcoming corruption and establishing the rule of law – everything that Russia and its satellite regimes so strongly oppose. This is not only Serbia’s victory; this is the victory of every person who believes that the state belongs to the people and not to one person, one party or a corrupt system oriented toward retaining power. After Hungary, the Serbian victory also confirms that political struggle always has fundamental importance against any regime. Despite complete inequality, a state apparatus tailored to one party, a pre-rigged system, colossal administrative resources, a privatized constitution, tens of billions seized through corruption and a complete media monopoly, first the Hungarian and then the Serbian people proved and showed that the desire for freedom, civic courage and the struggle for justice can change a country’s political future.

Vučić was defeated not by a united opposition, but by a united nation. Students, professors, artists, athletes, doctors, trade unions, figures of culture and public faces. Serbia’s victory is the victory of the nation and democracy against autocracy and an example that no repression, oppression or ban on parties can stand against the will of the people. Serbia has once again confirmed that broad public will is decisive for political victory. ‘Lelo – Strong Georgia’ has always welcomed broad public unity in the struggle against the regime, and Serbia has once again confirmed that this is the correct, effective and successful model of political struggle. Serbia’s victory is hope for us as well; in Georgia we believe that as a result of the correct struggle the day will come when the free will of the Georgian people will prevail and our country will return to a European future. Long live free Serbia! Long live free Georgia! Long live the victory of the people against the regime!” Gegelia stated.

For reference: Aleksandar Vučić has acknowledged that his party, the Serbian Progressive Party, lost the parliamentary elections and that the “Student List” won. “It is clear that we lost these elections; the ‘Student List’ won,” Vučić stated in a televised address. According to him, based on preliminary results, the students will have around 135–140 seats in the 250-seat parliament, while his party – the Serbian Progressive Party – will have 105 seats.

Soon after Vučić made this statement, the streets of Belgrade were filled with celebration. Tens of thousands of people gathered on the city’s main avenues; the sound of car horns could be heard, people were dancing, and students were chanting: “Victory!” and “It’s over, it’s finished!”