Ana Brnabic, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, spoke in Brussels today, discussing the current political landscape in Serbia and addressing allegations made by opposition MP Marinika Tepic against President Aleksandar Vucic.

Brnabic's statements were aimed at informing European Neighborhood and Enlargement Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi, about the challenges faced by the Serbian government as it navigates reform efforts and potential European Union integration.

Brnabic commented on Tepic's recent accusations that President Vucic is one of the world’s largest drug dealers, a claim she has made over the past two days.

Tepic, a member of the Freedom and Justice Party, has appeared at press conferences showcasing drug packages, claiming they are linked to Vucic's family.

Brnabic asserted that the image presented was actually of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, emphasizing the erroneous nature of Tepic's allegations.

The Speaker criticized Tepic for diverting focus away from Serbia's developmental goals and Euro-integration efforts, stating that the government is compelled to address what she termed Tepic's proven falsehoods.

She acknowledged that the public discourse has become centered on allegations instead of constructive political progress.

Brnabic noted the significant role that media outlets play in these allegations, mentioning that the information presented by Tepic has been previously published in tabloids, suggesting a lack of credibility.

She highlighted a rare moment where a publication, specifically KRIK, refuted Tepic's claims, calling them shameful and untrue.

In her remarks, Brnabic posed questions about the implications of Tepic's statements on President Vucic’s family, inviting reflection on their impact.

She stated that while she was pleased to draw attention to the issue during her meeting with EU officials, she urged for scrutiny and response from the European Commission regarding Tepic’s statements.

Brnabic recalled that Tepic has a history of making unfounded claims, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she accused the government of human trafficking and other exaggerated offenses.

Most recently, Tepic's assertions regarding the Vucic family have escalated these accusations to extreme levels, with Brnabic stating that this kind of rhetoric endangers the safety of Vucic and his family members.

Furthermore, Brnabic emphasized the necessity for appropriate legal responses from relevant institutions, underlining their obligation to address these allegations.

She expressed that the responsibility lies not only with the institutions if they choose not to act upon noted claims, reinforcing the expectation of independent and just legal proceedings in Serbia.