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eNCA
13 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Thousands block roads in another night of Serbian protests
BELGRADE - Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities on Sunday, as demonstrations calling for snap elections continued into a second night following Saturday's huge rally in the capital. On Saturday, around 140,000 people rallied in central Belgrade, the latest gathering in over half a year of demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people in a disaster widely blamed on shoddy construction resulting from entrenched corruption. Anti-graft activists, responding to the arrest of a "large number of citizens" in the wake of the protest, called for more action - with thousands responding to set up dozens of blockades around the capital. At the key Autokomanda junction, protesters were setting up tents preparing to stay overnight, according to an AFP photographer. Protesters posted images of similar blockades from several other cities, including Novi Sad, and published plans for dozens of similar protests around the country. Local media and videos posted by protesters showed large crowds streaming onto major bridges, and students forming barriers from bins and fences. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told local station Pink TV that authorities were monitoring the situation. Earlier on Sunday, President Aleksandar Vucic remained defiant against protesters' demands for early elections, accusing the student-led movement of causing "terror" AFP | DJORDJE KOSTIC "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a televised speech. -'Not a moment for withdrawal'- Clashes with police after Saturday's rally ended with dozens of arrests, as riot officers used tear gas and batons to attempt to disperse a crowd that also threw bottles and flares. Authorities said 48 officers had been injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Dacic said 22 people had sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. Ahead of Sunday's blockades, eight people were arrested on accusations including planning to block roads and attack state institutions "in order to violently change the state order", the Higher Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Police said they had detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody following Saturday's rally. "This is not a moment for withdrawal," protest organisers said on Instagram, encouraging people to gather outside the prosecutors' office and demand their release. But Vucic insisted "there will be many more arrested for attacking police. This is not the end." He said there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who want to destroy the state". - 'Take freedom' - Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he had dismissed well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister and a cabinet reshuffle. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become routine ahead of large demonstrations. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands". "The authorities had all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Thousands block roads in another night of Serbian protests
BELGRADE: Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities on Sunday, as demonstrations calling for snap elections continued into a second night following Saturday's huge rally in the capital. On Saturday, around 140,000 people rallied in central Belgrade, the latest gathering in over half a year of demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people in a disaster widely blamed on shoddy construction resulting from entrenched corruption. Anti-graft activists, responding to the arrest of a "large number of citizens" in the wake of the protest, called for more action - with thousands responding to set up dozens of blockades around the capital. At the key Autokomanda junction, protesters were setting up tents preparing to stay overnight, according to an AFP photographer. Protesters posted images of similar blockades from several other cities, including Novi Sad, and published plans for dozens of similar protests around the country. Local media and videos posted by protesters showed large crowds streaming onto major bridges, and students forming barriers from bins and fences. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told local station Pink TV that authorities were monitoring the situation. Earlier on Sunday, President Aleksandar Vucic remained defiant against protesters' demands for early elections, accusing the student-led movement of causing "terror" "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a televised speech. 'Not a moment for withdrawal' Clashes with police after Saturday's rally ended with dozens of arrests, as riot officers used tear gas and batons to attempt to disperse a crowd that also threw bottles and flares. Authorities said 48 officers had been injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Dacic said 22 people had sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. Ahead of Sunday's blockades, eight people were arrested on accusations including planning to block roads and attack state institutions "in order to violently change the state order", the Higher Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Police said they had detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody following Saturday's rally. "This is not a moment for withdrawal," protest organisers said on Instagram, encouraging people to gather outside the prosecutors' office and demand their release. But Vucic insisted "there will be many more arrested for attacking police. This is not the end." He said there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who want to destroy the state". 'Take freedom' Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he had dismissed well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister and a cabinet reshuffle. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become routine ahead of large demonstrations. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands". "The authorities had all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mass protests in Serbia demand snap elections, block roads
BELGRADE: Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities on Sunday, as demonstrations calling for snap elections continued into a second night following Saturday's huge rally in the capital. On Saturday, around 140,000 people rallied in central Belgrade, the latest gathering in over half a year of demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people in a disaster widely blamed on shoddy construction resulting from entrenched corruption. Anti-graft activists, responding to the arrest of a "large number of citizens" in the wake of the protest, called for more action - with thousands responding to set up dozens of blockades around the capital. At the key Autokomanda junction, protesters were setting up tents preparing to stay overnight, according to an AFP photographer. Protesters posted images of similar blockades from several other cities, including Novi Sad, and published plans for dozens of similar protests around the country. Local media and videos posted by protesters showed large crowds streaming onto major bridges, and students forming barriers from bins and fences. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told local station Pink TV that authorities were monitoring the situation. Earlier on Sunday, President Aleksandar Vucic remained defiant against protesters' demands for early elections, accusing the student-led movement of causing "terror" "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a televised speech. 'Not a moment for withdrawal' Clashes with police after Saturday's rally ended with dozens of arrests, as riot officers used tear gas and batons to attempt to disperse a crowd that also threw bottles and flares. Authorities said 48 officers had been injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Dacic said 22 people had sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. Ahead of Sunday's blockades, eight people were arrested on accusations including planning to block roads and attack state institutions "in order to violently change the state order", the Higher Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Police said they had detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody following Saturday's rally. "This is not a moment for withdrawal," protest organisers said on Instagram, encouraging people to gather outside the prosecutors' office and demand their release. But Vucic insisted "there will be many more arrested for attacking police. This is not the end." He said there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who want to destroy the state". 'Take freedom' Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he had dismissed well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister and a cabinet reshuffle. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become routine ahead of large demonstrations. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands". "The authorities had all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Serbia's Vucic holds rally for 'love of Serbia'
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic rallied his supporters in Belgrade on Saturday to push back against months of protests against him, telling them he will launch a new political movement. Serbia has been gripped by a wave of protests since November, when 16 people died in the collapse of the newly renovated Novi Sad station -- a tragedy widely blamed on corruption and poor oversight. Hundreds of thousands have marched for months against corruption and mis-management, culminating in the biggest protests in decades last month. But Vucic claims the student-led protests are threatening the Balkan nation's peace and stability, accusing the protesters of being paid by "foreign intelligence agencies". "All together, with heart and soul, we show that Serbia breathes as one," he said on Instagram. "That nothing can divide us, because we are connected by the strongest thing -- love for our one and only Serbia." The event started on Friday with Vucic and ministers joining supporters to carry a 200-metre-long (656 feet) Serbian flag, the "largest in history", according to the president. - 'Protecting Serbia' - On Saturday afternoon, thousands of people, mostly pensioners with some dressed in traditional costumes, strolled along stands set up in central Belgrade. The stands were offering free grilled meat, sausages, wine, local fruit brandy, known as rakija, as well as traditional peasant shoes or Serbia's national hat sajkaca. A large stage was erected in front of the national assembly where concerts and political speeches will later be held. Vucic himself is to address the crowd at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) to announce the launching of a new political movement. Former prime minister Milos Vucevic and parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic mingled with the crowd to greet people and take photos with them. Several municipalities organised transport of the president's supporters. The latter were also invited by text messages to "come on time to jointly show strong support for the (Vucic's) Serbian Progressive Party's policy". "We came to support Vucic, to protect our Serbia. This movement should bring change", Milic Mara, a pensioner from Belgrade, told AFP. One of Serbia's wealthiest businessmen, who owns pro-government Pink TV, set up a party truck throwing confetti and blaring pop and rock music, an alternative to the nationalist-themed songs coming from the main stage. Jadranka Milic, a construction engineer, danced among the confetti waving a Serbian flag. "I love it here. I waited for this day -- it's beautiful, free, joyful. I'm here to celebrate the victory of love and friendship," she said. "This new movement will unite everyone in the country whether you're a party member, a farmer, or an ordinary citizen," assured Isidora Filipovic, a member of the ruling SNS party from the town of Zrenjanin. She was wrapped in a Serbian flag and wore the traditional sajkaca hat. At several stands people could write letters to Vucic, join the movement or propose its name. Meanwhile, in Novi Pazar, some 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of Belgrade, thousands of people protested against the government's policies. Since last week dozens more have been cycling to Strasbourg, where they are due to arrive on Tuesday, hoping to draw Europe's attention to their anti-corruption fight. mp-cbo/ljv/gv
Russia Today
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Serbian leader says West spent billions to overthrow him
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused Western powers of trying to orchestrate his overthrow. In an interview on Pink TV broadcast on Monday, Vucic said 'foreign powers' have spent around €3 billion ($3.1 billion) over the past decade trying to oust him from power. Vucic's remarks follow weeks of student-led anti-government protests over alleged corruption and negligence. The protests were initially triggered by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station last November following extensive renovations. The incident, which claimed 15 lives, led to public outrage throughout the country. Vucic earlier blamed 'foreign instructors' promoting Western, Croatian, and Albanian interests for the unrest, accusing them of attempting to launch a color revolution in Serbia. In his latest interview, Vucic reiterated these claims, stating that foreign powers 'started to invest more and more in Serbia's destruction as soon as the country began to rapidly grow.' READ MORE: Serbia will revisit foreign agents law – deputy PM 'I am fascinated by how much money was invested in my overthrow. These foreign countries, they have invested so much money in the last 10 years… when I started counting, it was already €3 billion,' Vucic said. He cited the Trag Foundation, a UK charity that promotes social change in Serbia, as an example of a foreign-funded NGO linked to the protest movement, claiming that the agency has received €28 million ($28.85 million) from foreign powers. According to Vucic, there are three objectives behind the foreign involvement in Serbia's domestic affairs, including the 'destruction of Serbia's libertarian policy' and undermining the country's standing in the Balkans. 'The third, which is the most important, is that they want to play us like a puppet show so that their word is the only one that is obeyed,' Vucic claimed. 'And they really don't care about the people here, whom they took out to the streets for bloodshed. They really don't care as they invested huge money,' he said, adding that attempts to oust him have failed and will continue to do so. READ MORE: Under-fire Serbian PM resigns According to the president, the unrest is already waning as 'all the students' demands have been met' by the state, including the publication of documents related to the tragedy at Novi Sad, pardons for activists arrested at rallies, criminal proceedings against people accused of attacking demonstrators, and a 20% increase in funding for universities. The protests have already led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic and Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. Some analysts say that meeting the protesters' demands might not be enough to end the rallies, with calls now for deeper, systemic changes in the government.
