Tens of thousands at anti-government protest in Serbia

In the Serbian capital of Belgrade, tens of thousands have again taken part in a protest critical of the government. The wave of protests began after two gun attacks in early May.

Tens of thousands have again taken to the streets against the government in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. It was already the fifth such protest within a few weeks. Because of two gun attacks with 18 fatalities, they are under the motto “Serbia against violence”.

The demonstrators accuse the government of President Aleksandar Vucic of using the media under their control to promote a culture of violence. In early May, a 13-year-old student in a Belgrade school shot dead eight children and a security guard with his father’s gun. Less than 48 hours later, a 21-year-old killed eight people in another gun attack in several villages near Belgrade.

pro-European opposition parties organize rally

“I’m here for all of us, especially for my children,” said 33-year-old mathematician Bojana Popovic, explaining her participation in the demonstration. The rally was organized by several pro-European opposition parties.

Among other things, the participants demanded the withdrawal of broadcasting licenses from television stations that broadcast violent content. They are also demanding a ban on pro-government newspapers, which they say are fueling popular tensions, and the resignation of the interior minister and intelligence chief.

Vucic criticizes protests

The quiet rallies against gun violence have now turned into protests against government policies in general. Head of state Vucic and his supporters make fun of the rallies and insult their participants. For years, critics have accused Vucic of increasingly using autocratic means to cement his power.

The 53-year-old head of state has criticized the protests as “politicizing” the bloody deeds and suspected they were being controlled by foreign powers.