Protesters Rally Outside Belgrade City Hall Over Alleged Election Fraud
Protesters flood Belgrade demanding justice after controversial Serbian elections marred with accusations of fraud
Thousands of people in Belgrade came together on Sunday for an anti-government demonstration, calling for the cancellation of last week's general election in Serbia, which was criticized as "unfair" by international observers. Protesters made an attempt to enter the City Assembly in Belgrade, using flagpoles and rocks to break the windows, but faced resistance from police who used riot shields and tear gas, as reported by N1, CNN's affiliate in Serbia.
At least 35 individuals were detained on Sunday, as reported by N1, marking the sixth consecutive day of protests following the parliamentary and local elections.
The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) secured 47% of the votes following the snap election initiated by President Aleksandar Vucic, solidifying his decade-long control over the Balkan nation that is aspiring to join the European Union while maintaining strong connections with Russia.
The elections were conducted in an unfair manner, according to an international monitoring mission, which pointed to media bias, Vucic's inappropriate influence, and "intimidation and pressure on voters, including cases of vote buying."
Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's president, in his office in Belgrade, Serbia, January 17, 2023.
Oliver Bunic/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The West's approach of turning a blind eye to Vucic's actions in Serbia poses a risk of destabilizing the Balkans. Members of the newly formed opposition movement, Serbia Against Violence, attended the protest on Sunday and accused Vucic of stealing the election.
"Vucic, you haven't just stolen one vote, but thousands and thousands," declared Marinika Tepic at the protest, where she has been on a hunger strike since the elections. She demanded that the election be invalidated. Srdjan Milivojevic, another member of the opposition coalition, described Vucic as "a thief like the world has never seen before." He was seen trying to open the door to the city hall, but was unable to gain entry.
The crowd outside the building chanted "Vucic, leave" as a response to the protests. In an address to the nation on Sunday evening, Vucic assured Serbs that they shouldn't worry because there was no revolution taking place.
Vucic stated, according to Radio Television of Serbia, "They wont be able to accomplish anything with this, and let us try not to hurt any of the random demonstrators by reacting mildly, peacefully,"
Supporters of the "Serbia Against Violence" coalition protest in Belgrade, December 24, 2023.
Marko Djurica/Reuters
Vucic's government is under increasing international pressure to investigate allegations of electoral irregularities following last week's vote. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) highlighted multiple procedural deficiencies on election day, while the German Foreign Office deemed the findings as unacceptable for a country with EU candidate status.
The CRTA Election Observation Mission, a Belgrade-based independent organization, stated that large-scale "voter migration" may have been employed to manipulate the outcomes of local elections by transporting individuals from other regions in Serbia and from abroad to specific municipalities.
Andreas Schieder, a member of the European Parliament from Austria, expressed shock at reports of non-residents being bused in to vote in Belgrade, emphasizing that such practices of vote theft, bribery, and corruption should not be tolerated in a democratic society.
Student groups in Belgrade announced they will stage a six-hour blockade of traffic in two parts of the city on Monday, as they continue to demand the annulment of the elections.
