Latest news with #AleksandarVucic
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests (AP) BELGRADE: Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people. Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly crash was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Protesting university students have been demanding accountability for the crash and the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation that is formally seeking European Union entry but where the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms. After months-long protests drawing hundreds of thousands of people, the student movement is now seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. Vucic, whom critics accuse of an increasingly authoritarian rule despite the proclaimed EU bid, initially dismissed early elections but on Friday suggested they may be held, though without saying exactly when. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Authorities have indicted over a dozen people but doubts prevail that the proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. A huge, noisy column of protesters in Belgrade marched by the state prosecutor's offices before reaching the government building. They carried a big banner urging elections. Maja Rancic said she was hopeful the protests can bring about changes: "I really hope and wish, and I think it will happen." Vucic's government has stepped up pressure on the protesting students and Serbia's universities, claiming without proof that they were instructed by foreign powers to stage a revolution in the country. Students are planning more protests all over the country this weekend.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people. Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly crash was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Protesting university students have been demanding accountability for the crash and the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation that is formally seeking European Union entry but where the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms. After months-long protests drawing hundreds of thousands of people, the student movement is now seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. Vucic, whom critics accuse of an increasingly authoritarian rule despite the proclaimed EU bid, initially dismissed early elections but on Friday suggested they may be held, though without saying exactly when. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Authorities have indicted over a dozen people but doubts prevail that the proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. A huge, noisy column of protesters in Belgrade marched by the state prosecutor's offices before reaching the government building. They carried a big banner urging elections. Maja Rancic said she was hopeful the protests can bring about changes: 'I really hope and wish, and I think it will happen.' Vucic's government has stepped up pressure on the protesting students and Serbia's universities, claiming without proof that they were instructed by foreign powers to stage a revolution in the country. Students are planning more protests all over the country this weekend.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people. Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly crash was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Protesting university students have been demanding accountability for the crash and the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation that is formally seeking European Union entry but where the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms. After months-long protests drawing hundreds of thousands of people , the student movement is now seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. Vucic, whom critics accuse of an increasingly authoritarian rule despite the proclaimed EU bid, initially dismissed early elections but on Friday suggested they may be held, though without saying exactly when. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Authorities have indicted over a dozen people but doubts prevail that the proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. A huge, noisy column of protesters in Belgrade marched by the state prosecutor's offices before reaching the government building. They carried a big banner urging elections. Maja Rancic said she was hopeful the protests can bring about changes: 'I really hope and wish, and I think it will happen.' Vucic's government has stepped up pressure on the protesting students and Serbia's universities, claiming without proof that they were instructed by foreign powers to stage a revolution in the country. Students are planning more protests all over the country this weekend. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people. Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly crash was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Protesting university students have been demanding accountability for the crash and the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation that is formally seeking European Union entry but where the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms. After months-long protests drawing hundreds of thousands of people, the student movement is now seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. Vucic, whom critics accuse of an increasingly authoritarian rule despite the proclaimed EU bid, initially dismissed early elections but on Friday suggested they may be held, though without saying exactly when. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Authorities have indicted over a dozen people but doubts prevail that the proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. A huge, noisy column of protesters in Belgrade marched by the state prosecutor's offices before reaching the government building. They carried a big banner urging elections. Maja Rancic said she was hopeful the protests can bring about changes: 'I really hope and wish, and I think it will happen.' Vucic's government has stepped up pressure on the protesting students and Serbia's universities, claiming without proof that they were instructed by foreign powers to stage a revolution in the country. Students are planning more protests all over the country this weekend.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Russia fuming at neutral European nation, accuses it of providing $1.4 billion in arms to Ukraine
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused Serbia of covertly supplying weapons to Ukraine, in apparent violation of Belgrade's stated neutrality in the war. In a statement released Thursday, the SVR claimed that at least seven leading Serbian defence companies have exported 'hundreds of thousands of rockets and millions of small arms cartridges' to Ukraine, using falsified end-user certificates to mask the true destination of the arms. The claims were published in the Moscow Times before making their way around the European press. 'These shipments can hardly be justified on 'humanitarian grounds.' Their only obvious purpose is to kill and maim Russian servicemen and civilians,' the agency said, describing the alleged sales as 'an attempt to stab Russia in the back'. The Financial Times previously reported that Serbia has exported around €800 million (A$1.4 billion) in ammunition to Ukraine via third-party nations since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. President Aleksandar VuÄ�ić, who recently attended Russia's Victory Day military parade in Moscow, has acknowledged the exports but insisted they were legal and routed through intermediaries such as the United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic. 'We have friends in Kyiv and in Moscow. These are our Slav brothers,' VuÄ�ić told the FT. 'I need to take care of my people, and that's it.' The SVR also invoked their shared Slavic identity with Serbia in its address, accusing the nation's defence sector and unnamed 'patrons' of seeking to 'profit from the blood of fraternal Slavic peoples'. Although Serbia has maintained close political and economic ties with Moscow — including heavy reliance on Russian gas — it has stopped short of imposing sanctions on Russia and continues to pursue EU membership. Since the war began in February 2022, tens of thousands of Russians have relocated to Serbia, particularly following President Vladimir Putin's announcement of partial mobilisation later that year. North Korea's contribution On the topic of supplying arms, a new report has claimed to have revealed just how much North Korea has contributed to the Russian war effort following Putin's very public chumming-up with Kim Jong-un. Russia received up to nine million artillery and rocket munitions from North Korea this year, along with approximately 100 ballistic missiles and advanced weapons systems, according to a new report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT). The munitions — including 122 mm and 152 mm calibre rounds — were delivered by rail from ports in Russia's Far East to ammunition depots in the country's southwest, before being deployed in the ongoing war against Ukraine. In addition to the munitions, North Korea transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia in 2024. These were subsequently used to strike Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and terrorise urban populations in cities including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, the report said. North Korea also provided Russia with a significant quantity of heavy weaponry. Battlefield analysis by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Directorate confirmed the use of North Korean-made Bulsae-4 anti-tank missiles and RPG-type anti-tank rockets among the recovered Russian armaments. Startling report a warning for Europe The development comes after a report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies that warned Europe of Russia's capabilities. Moscow could be in a position to threaten NATO nations within two years if a ceasefire in Ukraine is brokered soon, according to a startling new report from a London think tank. The warning joins a now-familiar chorus from European governments and security analysts, many of whom have spent the last three years voicing concerns about what Moscow may do next. The invasion of Ukraine was Vladimir Putin's message to the world that he wasn't afraid of making seismic decisions that impact the lives of millions. The Western backlash against Russia has lit a fire under the nation's state-sponsored mouthpieces, many of whom have haphazardly threatened retaliation by 'levelling cities'. While it's a troubling scenario, a surprise Russian assault on a NATO country remains unlikely, largely because of the nuclear deterrent on both sides. Earlier this week, Europe was gripped by the sudden emergence of over two million leaked documents revealing the scale and ambition of Moscow's nuclear infrastructure overhaul. Without mutual inspections in place since 2020, understanding Russia's true capabilities has been difficult, meaning leaks are viewed as solid gold for Western governments. The documents, published by the Danish independent outlet Danwatch, provide a chilling glimpse into Putin's long-game strategy to reinforce Russia's famous deterrence doctrine. Putin has previously stated that Russia would never be the first to use nuclear weapons, but that if attacked, retaliation would be absolute. 'Any aggressor should know that retaliation is inevitable and they will be annihilated,' he declared. In a separate speech in 2024, Putin warned his nuclear forces were 'always' on alert. 'Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always on alert,' Putin told thousands of soldiers gathered for their annual Victory Day in 2024. 'Russia is now going through a difficult, crucial period. The fate of the Motherland, its future depends on each of us,' he said.
