Violent clashes in Belgrade between supporters and opponents of the president. Vučić gives in and announces early elections
Hundreds of Serbian police officers intervened in central Belgrade late Sunday to break up groups of supporters and opponents of President Aleksandar Vučić, who clashed in the streets amid rising political tensions in Serbia. Vučić announced on Sunday that he would call early parliamentary elections, one of the main demands of the protesters.
Vucic publicly apologized for the aggressive tone used in the past. PHOTO: X
Thousands of people gathered on both sides of the police cordon. The guards had to intervene to stop the confrontations in which bottles and torches were thrown, according to AP.
The protests come a year after the tragedy in Novi Sad, where the roof of the renovated train station collapsed, killing 16 people. The incident sparked a broad civic movement, led mainly by young people, accusing the government of corruption, negligence and authoritarianism.
In Belgrade, demonstrators gathered on Sunday to support Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims of the tragedy, who announced a hunger strike in front of the parliament. The protesters are demanding justice for the victims, the release of detained protesters and the organization of early elections. Similar protests took place in Novi Sad and other cities.
The situation in the capital became tense near the camp set up by Vučić's loyalists in March, known as “Caciland”, located between the president's office and the parliament.
Vučić announced early elections
After several months of protests repressed by the authorities, President Vučić announced on Sunday, November 2, that he will call early parliamentary elections, one of the main demands of the protesters.
“The elections will take place before the end of the mandate; the exact moment will be decided by the competent institutions”, Vučić said during a visit to the construction site of the National Stadium in Belgrade, TVPWorld reports.
The Serbian leader has publicly apologized for his past aggressive tone towards protesters, saying he wants “to change the atmosphere in society”.
“My apology was sincere, not because I was afraid or wanted to please anyone, but because I want to change the atmosphere in our society. My hand remains extended to those who think differently.” Vučić said.
