UP

Thousands of Serbs protest against win for PM Vucic

Home page World
12 Punto 14 Punto 16 Punto 18 Punto

Thousands of protesters, mainly students, rallied for the third straight night in Belgrade on Wednesday to protest against the overwhelming victory of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic in a weekend presidential election.

Axar.az reports that throngs gathered in front of the Serbian parliament, blowing whistles and chanting "Vucic, you stole the election" and "End the dictatorship". Their numbers swelled as they marched through the city center.

Protesters said they see Vucic as an autocrat and his Serbian Progressive Party as corrupt and instrumental in what they say was a fraudulent election.

Demands posted on social media by one group of students included dismissing the election commission, the media regulator and top editors of the state RTS TV for allegedly failing to facilitate a free and fair vote.

Students also want Maja Gojkovic, the parliament speaker and a top Vucic ally, to go as it was she who decided to adjourn parliamentary sessions until after the vote.

"We are here to demand more democracy, an end to Vucic's dictatorial regime and a better future, more jobs and a better education system," said Djordje Peric, 21, a student.

Students who rally supporters through social networks, reject alliances with political parties. They instead invited trade unions to join in. Similar protests have been staged in several other towns throughout the EU candidate country.

According to the state election commission's preliminary data, Vucic, 47, won on Sunday with 55.02 percent of votes.

Although his new post will be largely ceremonial, he is expected to maintain his grip on power through his Serbian Progressive Party and to continue a balancing act between the West and Russia, a Orthodox Christian and Slavic ally.

Sasa Jankovic, a former human rights advocate, came second, with only 16.36 percent, while Luka Maksimovic, a student, came third with 9.43 percent.

Date
2017.04.05 / 23:44
Author
Axar.az
See also

Putin tells Trump Russia is open to Ukraine talks

Trump urges ceasefire in call with Putin

Trump-Putin call lasts one hour

CENTCOM chief in Israel

Russia updates Ukraine war losses

Trump and Zelensky to discuss pause of US weapons deliveries

Russian general killed in Kursk

Danish women to face conscription by lottery

Ukraine updates Russian loss figures on Day 1226

Microsoft laying off about 9,000 employees

Latest
Xocalı soyqırımı — 1992-ci il Bağla
Bize yazin Bağla
ArxivBağla