Members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SASA) have launched an initiative calling for the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić due to the collapse of the country's institutional and democratic foundations, BGNES reported.

‘Over the past period, we have witnessed the collapse of the electoral process through the manipulation of voter lists, vote buying and the abuse of state resources,’ the members said.

They added that citizens are witnessing control over the prosecution and the courts, which calls into question the legal security of citizens.

SANU members also highlighted problems such as the suppression of press freedom and media pluralism ‘with the usurpation of national television frequencies and the transformation of public television into a propaganda tool of the authorities.’

They also highlighted the problem of excessive borrowing by the state without public debate and control, the cover-up of criminal cases that shake society with the help of those in positions of responsibility, as well as the emergence of widespread corruption, manipulated tenders and a complete lack of transparency in the work of state bodies.

"Over the past period, we have witnessed the destruction of the fundamental pillars of society – education, healthcare, science, culture and the arts – which have been brought to a state of chronic crisis and desolation. We are demanding resignation not for political reasons, but because of the moral responsibility we feel towards the citizens and the future of Serbia. We believe that no one, not even the president of the republic, has the right to destroy the democratic order for personal or party power and to jeopardise the interests of the state and society," they said.

The members of the academy added that they believe that the resignation of the president of Serbia ‘at a time of serious crisis and growing social polarisation’ is the only possible step towards opening up space for dialogue, restoring institutions and regaining the trust of citizens in the state. | BGNES