Serbia’s ruling SNS party on Friday called on the government to “once again examine any legal possibilities that would allow it to publish the Fiat contract.”
The contact in question is secret, and concerns the establishment of the company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FAC) Serbia – whose workers recently took strike action over excessive workload and low wages.
“We believe that citizens would be shocked if they had the opportunity to see the contents of the contract, that is, what (former Serbian President) Boris Tadic, the worst kind of swindler, personally agreed on with Fiat,” a statement issued by the SNS said.
This party – led by the country’s current president, Aleksandar Vucic – went on to describe Tadic as “an unsurpassed liar” who has continued to deceive citizens of Serbia, “although he is perfectly well aware that the government cannot publish that contract.”
“Tadic knows that the publishing of the contract is a cause for its termination, while its secrecy, everything that Tadic agreed on with the Italian side, is obligatory for its existence and implementation,” the statement said.
“We have received far more from Fiat than we have paid” – Tadic, who is now leader of the opposition SDS party, said earlier in the day.
According to him, two billion euros were set aside for the technical maintenance of Fiat Serbia’s predecessor, Zastava, “from October 5 (2000) until its privatization (in 2008).”
Tadic did not wish to comment on the contact’s details, in order to avoid disclosing a business secret, which, he remarked, is common practice in the automobile industry. The former president also said that “economic and other” details were negotiated with Fiat by the government led by Mirko Cvetkovic.
“One of the conditions was the secrecy (of the contract),” said Tadic, and called on Serbia’s current government to “successfully (re)negotiate, so that it is no longer a secret.”
Meanwhile, representatives of Fiat Serbia’s trade unions continued their post-strike negotiations with the company’s management for a third day on Friday.
No details have been released as of Friday afternoon – but the talks, held in the government building in Belgrade, “are expected to be concluded soon as the two sides are understood to have good will to reach a deal,” Tanjug is reporting.
