Anti-Government Protests in Belgrade Escalate Over Alleged Election Irregularities
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the heart of Belgrade on Sunday to protest against the outcome of recent parliamentary and local elections in Serbia. The populist ruling Serbian Progressive Party secured a majority in the snap parliamentary elections, but international observers criticized the electoral process, citing media bias, improper influence, and voting irregularities.
Preliminary results revealed that the SNS won 46.72% of the votes, triggering accusations of unfair advantages. The international monitoring mission identified issues such as media bias, President Aleksandar Vucic's improper influence, and voting irregularities, including allegations of vote buying. President Vucic, however, asserted that the elections were conducted fairly.
Protesters gathered in Belgrade's center to demand the annulment of the elections. Tensions escalated when demonstrators attempted to break into the Belgrade town hall, where the local election commission is based. Police responded with pepper spray, and some protesters climbed the building, breaking windows. Chants of "Vucic thief" echoed through the crowd.
The interior ministry issued a statement urging protesters to refrain from forcibly entering the town hall. In the face of rising tensions, President Vucic called for calm, emphasizing a non-confrontational approach to avoid harm to protesters. The center-left opposition alliance Serbia Against Violence, which secured the second-highest votes, has been at the forefront of challenging the election results. Members attempted to enter the town hall, accompanied by chants of "get in" and "no surrender."
Marinika Tepic, a member of Serbia Against Violence, has been on a hunger strike since the elections, demanding the annulment of the results. The protests continued into the night, with anti-riot police eventually dispersing the crowd around the town hall.
The anti-government protests in Belgrade underscore the deepening discontent and allegations of irregularities surrounding the recent elections. As tensions persist, the political landscape in Serbia remains tumultuous, with opposition figures and demonstrators calling for a reexamination of the electoral process. The coming days will likely witness further developments as the nation grapples with the aftermath of these contested elections.
