HRH CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II DOES NOT RUN FOR THE PRESIDENT OF SERBIA

Belgrade, 12 November 2002 – Following the statement of the Chairman of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia Mr. Milenko Smiljanic, given at the last night’s reception at the White Palace, that this Union will propose HRH Crown Prince Alexander II II for the President of Serbia in the forthcoming elections, the Office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II issues the following statement:

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II thanks very much to Mr. Milenko Smiljanic and the members of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia for their support, but emphasizes that he will not run for the office in the forthcoming presidential or any other elections.

The Crown does not take part in the elections, running for offices at any level.

The Monarch is not a member of any political party. Constitutional monarchy respects and defends all political parties who abide by democratic rules.

Constitutional monarchy defends democracy and human rights, and provides unity and continuity. The role to be played by the constitutional monarchy is the one that binds the people together; acting as a symbol of unity for all people, fully respecting all religions and ethnic groups.

The Government and parliament in a constitutional monarchy ere elected by the people in free and fair democratic elections. The Government is responsible for the running of country, and the Monarch is the head of the state.

Constitutional monarchy is the solution to political conflicts as the Prime Minister is the head of the Government and the Monarch abides by the Constitution and does not mix in politics.

Eight European countries are constitutional monarchies today: Kingdoms of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Holland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Outside Europe, constitutional monarchies are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Morocco and Japan. All these countries are the example of highly developed open societies that abide the democratic rules and fulfill the highest standards in respecting human rights.