Serbian police deploy tear gas on election protesters near city hall
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
1:40 PM – Sunday, December 24, 2023
Serbian police used tear gas to stop hundreds of supporters of the opposition from entering the city council building in the capital in protest of what election spectators said were “widespread vote irregularities.”
On Sunday, thousands of activists gathered in the center of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in an anti-government demonstration to request the annulment of parliamentary and local elections that international election observers claimed were “unfair.”
Preliminary results from the state election commission show that the ruling populist Serbian Progressive party (SNS) received 46.72% of the vote in last weekend’s snap parliamentary elections.
According to an international monitoring mission on Monday, President Aleksandar Vučić’s improper influence, media bias, and voting irregularities, such as vote buying, gave the SNS an unfair advantage.
On Sunday, Vučić announced that the allegations were false statements supported by the political opposition. In addition, he stated that the turmoil was instigated by foreign nations.
Speaking to the country amid the demonstration outside Belgrade Town Hall, Vučić referred to the protesters as “thugs” who wouldn’t be able to topple the government and declared, “This is not a revolution.”
On Sunday evening, the press announced that riot police with shields blockaded themselves inside Belgrade’s town hall and fired teargas as demonstrators slashed windows on the outside of the building.
The demonstrators yelled “open the door” and “thieves” as they also threw eggs at the downtown building. Some shouted “Vučić is Putin”, referring to the Serbian president and Russia’s leader.
With 23.56% of the vote, the center-left opposition alliance Serbia Against Violence placed second in the election, while the Socialist party of Serbia finished third with 6.56%.
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries at the scene.
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What are the allegations of election irregularities made by the international observers in Serbia?
Title: Opposition Supporters Clash with Serbian Authorities over Alleged Election Irregularities
Introduction:
In the wake of parliamentary and local elections in Serbia, opposition supporters clashed with law enforcement officials in a protest against alleged widespread vote irregularities. The demonstration in the capital city of Belgrade led to a tense standoff between protesters and riot police, with tear gas being deployed to disperse the crowd. International election observers have criticized the election process, citing improper influence, media bias, and vote buying. This article aims to shed light on the events that unfolded during the protest and the ongoing political tension in Serbia.
Protest Against Alleged Election Irregularities:
Thousands of activists gathered in the center of Belgrade on Sunday to voice their dissatisfaction with the parliamentary and local elections. International election observers had claimed that the elections were unfair, and preliminary results showed the ruling Serbian Progressive party (SNS) receiving the majority of the vote. The opposition alliance Serbia Against Violence finished second, while the Socialist party of Serbia secured the third position.
International Observers’ Findings:
An international monitoring mission reported President Aleksandar Vučić’s improper influence, media bias, and voting irregularities as factors that gave the SNS an unfair advantage. These allegations have been categorically denied by Vučić, who labeled them as false statements fueled by political opposition. He further claimed that the turmoil was instigated by foreign nations, playing down the gravity of the protests.
Protesters’ Demonstration and Authorities’ Response:
As the protest intensified outside Belgrade Town Hall, President Vučić labeled the demonstrators as “thugs” who would not be able to overthrow the government. Riot police barricaded themselves inside the town hall, firing tear gas at the protesters who had gathered outside the building. Demonstrators shouted slogans such as “open the door” and “thieves” while pelting the building with eggs. The tense standoff between protesters and authorities created a volatile situation, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Implications for Serbia’s Political Landscape:
The protests and allegations of election irregularities have further polarized Serbia’s political landscape. The opposition is pushing for the annulment of the parliamentary and local elections, highlighting the need for fair and transparent electoral processes. The ruling party, on the other hand, maintains that the allegations are baseless and part of a larger political agenda to undermine their legitimacy. The ongoing tensions underscore the challenges and divisions within Serbian society.
Conclusion:
The recent protests in Belgrade, Serbia, have brought to the forefront allegations of widespread vote irregularities during the parliamentary and local elections. While opposition supporters gathered to demand fairness and transparency, authorities responded with tear gas to disperse the crowds. The clash between protesters and riot police highlights the growing political tension in Serbia. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these events will shape the future of the country’s political landscape.
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