After assuming the role of assistant coach of the "Novi Beograd" water polo club, the mayor Belgrade Aleksandar Šapić it was only on December 11 that he stood before the journalists again.
It was his first press conference since October 28, 2025, according to data from the city's official website.
In the meantime, numerous activities took place in the city, both in Ćaciland and outside it, but Šapić did not consider it necessary to publicly communicate about these topics earlier.
Now, he talked a little about Chacilenda, a little New Year's Eve, new roundabouts...
Circular flows as an infrastructural priority
In an address that lasted more than an hour, the mayor focused again on the topic that marks his mandate when it comes to street works - construction of roundabouts. He spoke about already completed locations, but also about plans for new ones. He announced the transformation of the intersection near Fontana, along with projects at Tošina well and Ledine.
"We have three roundabouts. At Ušće, below is the roundabout that should come from the New Serbian Bridge and the third one we talked about when we announced five roundabouts. We have another roundabout in Zoran Đinđić Boulevard and there is an idea for one in Nikola Tesla Boulevard, for which there is the least need," Šapić said.
When it comes to the aforementioned bridge, which should replace the Old Sava Bridge, the mayor repeated earlier announcements.
"We have information that the arch of the bridge will be visible by the end of 2026, that it will be completed, but not available for traffic. As I have already announced, it should be opened for traffic in the spring of 2027," Šapić said.
Circular movements of citizens of Šapic
A little about bus stations
Speaking about the traffic infrastructure, Šapić also explained the role of the future "Jug" bus station at Autokomanda, giving it a new functional ambition, as a place where a parking lot will be built, and that it will be connected to the city center by public transport.
"We think that by the end of January we will finish the work on the very part where the buses will dock. There will be a parking lot above. We will introduce dedicated transportation lines that will go from there and you will be at Slavija in 10 minutes," Šapić said.
For the Belgrade Bus Station (BAS), he repeated his earlier assessment that it will only be visually improved: "Besides that it will be aesthetically more beautiful, there will be no additional function that does not exist today. There will be a little more space, it will be nicer and more appropriate. It should be ready by the spring or summer of 2027," Šapić said.
Pedestrian zones, permits and conflicts with the Institute
The mayor also announced a new pedestrian zone that would connect Kalemegdan with Knez Mihailova Street, and he announced the project as "one of the most beautiful squares and pedestrian zones". However, as he said, it will hardly be built until December 2026.
The most problematic segment refers to the Academic Plateau, where the City has not yet received permission from the Republic Institute for the Protection of Monuments.
"We have no right to do anything there without their permission. We have secured the funds, they are asking archaeologists to excavate it. Please don't do it anymore, if you want, you will continue to drive your own. It has nothing to do with the city. We cannot do anything there until the Institute for the Protection of Monuments decides what they like. We have used up all our capacities. Obviously we cannot guess their taste. I suggest that they do the project themselves, and we will implement it," he said. Shapic.
In contrast, the plateau near the Church of St. Sava, as he claims, should be completed by 2026. If not, the plan is to complete it before the current city government's term expires.
Šapić was re-elected to the post of mayor in 2024, and his current mandate expires in 2028.
Ćaciland, blockades and the absence of the city's New Year's celebration
In the part of the conference dedicated to Ćaciland, Šapić returned to his earlier position on traffic blockades.
"I am 100 percent against the blockade of this part of the city. I am also against blockades in any part of the city. Every blockade bothers me. I will never be in favor of it, whoever it is. I am ready to say it publicly," said Šapić.
Šapić, answering the journalists' questions about the fact that the Pionirski Park garage has been inaccessible to drivers for months due to the so-called Ćatsilenda said yes the garage has not been working for almost a year and that the financial loss is irreparable.
The location of Ćaciland was previously used for organized city receptions. Šapić has now said that this year there will be no public celebration of the New Year anywhere in Belgrade.
"The city of Belgrade will not organize New Year's Eve or Serbian New Year's this year. I don't want to risk and put any child in danger, because there are mostly children there. Last year we had a New Year's Eve on the Square, where a group of people were passing by and tried to break in. I don't believe they wanted to hurt them, but we will not take such a risk," said the mayor.
On the same day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that he hopes that by the end of the year the tents in front of the House of National Assembly in the center of Belgrade will be removed.
The question remains whether the decision to cancel the city's New Year's celebration represents another move that directs the city's policy towards avoiding risk, instead of improving public space and security protocols.
