Latest news with #earlyElections
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tens of thousands rally in Serbia's capital to demand snap elections
Tens of thousands of students and anti-corruption protesters gathered in Belgrade on Saturday, issuing an "ultimatum" for President Aleksandar Vucic to call for early elections by 9 pm (1900 GMT). Serbians have been taking to the streets to denonce rampant corruption in the government since last November, when the roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Tens of thousands of Serbian protesters converged on Belgrade on Saturday to press their demand for early elections after months of student-led strikes. As the hours-long rally began, massive crowds were building, with more streaming into a major square of the capital, according to AFP journalists. Carrying Serbian flags and banners, many emblazoned with the names of cities and towns throughout the Balkan nation, the protest began with a rendition of the national anthem. "We are not the problem, we are the consequence," one banner read. Read moreWhy has the EU kept silent on Serbia's massive protest movement? For more than half a year, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths. Police urged protesters to remain peaceful. Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:Serbian protesters cycle 1,400 kilometres to seek EU support against Vucic regimeThousands protest in Belgrade in biggest rally yet against alleged electoral fraud
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Tens of thousands rally in Serbia's capital to back up their demand for an early vote
People attend a major anti-government rally to press their demand for an early election after nearly eight months of almost daily anti-corruption demonstrations that have shaken the populist government of President Aleksandar Vucic, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) BELGRADE, Serbia — Tens of thousands of opponents of Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic rallied on Saturday in Serbia's capital Belgrade, backing up their demand for an early parliamentary election after nearly eight months of protests that have rattled his firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Tensions have soared before the protest in Belgrade, which has been organized by Serbia's university students, a key force behind nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations that started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people on Nov. 1. Many blamed the concrete roof crash on rampant government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. Vucic and his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party have repeatedly refused the demand for an early vote and accused protesters of planning to spur violence on orders from abroad, which they didn't specify. Vucic's authorities have launched a crackdown on Serbia's striking universities and other opponents, while increasing pressure on independent media as they tried to curb the demonstrations. The massive showing for Saturday's anti-Vucic rally, however, suggested that the resolve persists despite relentless pressure and after nearly eight months of almost daily protests. Hours before the student-led rally, Vucic's party bused in scores of its own supporters to Belgrade from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts reading: 'We won't give up Serbia.' They were joining a camp of Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade where they have been staying in tents since mid-March. In a show of business as usual, Vucic handed out presidential awards in the capital to people he deemed worthy, including artists and journalists. 'People need not worry — the state will be defended and thugs brought to justice," Vucic told reporters on Saturday. Serbian presidential and parliamentary elections are due in 2027. Saturday marks St. Vitus Day, a religious holiday and the date when Serbs mark a 14th-century battle against Ottoman Turks in Kosovo that was the start of hundreds of years of Turkish rule, holding symbolic importance. Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, to several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro. Serbia's railway company halted train service over an alleged bomb threat in what critics said was an apparent bid to prevent people from traveling to Belgrade for the rally. Authorities made similar moves back in March, before what was the biggest ever anti-government protest in the Balkan country, which drew hundreds of thousands of people. Vucic's loyalists then set up a camp in a park outside his office, which still stands. The otherwise peaceful gathering on March 15 came to an abrupt end when part of the crowd suddenly scattered in panic, triggering allegations that authorities used a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters — an accusation officials have denied. Vucic, a former extreme nationalist, has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago. Though he formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, critics say Vucic has stifled democratic freedoms as he strengthened ties with Russia and China. Jovana Gec, The Associated Press
The Independent
30-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people. Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly crash was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Protesting university students have been demanding accountability for the crash and the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation that is formally seeking European Union entry but where the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms. After months-long protests drawing hundreds of thousands of people, the student movement is now seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. Vucic, whom critics accuse of an increasingly authoritarian rule despite the proclaimed EU bid, initially dismissed early elections but on Friday suggested they may be held, though without saying exactly when. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Authorities have indicted over a dozen people but doubts prevail that the proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. A huge, noisy column of protesters in Belgrade marched by the state prosecutor's offices before reaching the government building. They carried a big banner urging elections. Maja Rancic said she was hopeful the protests can bring about changes: 'I really hope and wish, and I think it will happen.' Vucic's government has stepped up pressure on the protesting students and Serbia's universities, claiming without proof that they were instructed by foreign powers to stage a revolution in the country. Students are planning more protests all over the country this weekend.
Washington Post
30-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
BELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic . The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people.
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Thousands rally in Serbia's capital demanding snap elections after months of protests
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people rallied on Friday in Serbia's capital demanding early elections following seven months of persistent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. The protest in Belgrade was organized by Serbia's university students, who have been a key force behind the nationwide demonstrations triggered by a collapse on Nov. 1 of a concrete train station canopy in the country's north that killed 16 people. Many people in Serbia believe that the deadly crash was the result of flawed renovation work on the station building, and they link the disaster to alleged government corruption in major infrastructure projects with Chinese state companies. Protesting university students have been demanding accountability for the crash and the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation that is formally seeking European Union entry but where the ruling populists have been accused of clamping down on democratic freedoms. After months-long protests drawing hundreds of thousands of people, the student movement is now seeking a snap vote, arguing that the current government cannot meet their demands for justice for the crash victims. Presidential and parliamentary elections are otherwise due some time in 2027. Vucic, whom critics accuse of an increasingly authoritarian rule despite the proclaimed EU bid, initially dismissed early elections but on Friday suggested they may be held, though without saying exactly when. No one has been sentenced in connection with the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad. Authorities have indicted over a dozen people but doubts prevail that the proceedings will uncover the alleged corruption behind the crash. A huge, noisy column of protesters in Belgrade marched by the state prosecutor's offices before reaching the government building. They carried a big banner urging elections. Maja Rancic said she was hopeful the protests can bring about changes: 'I really hope and wish, and I think it will happen.' Vucic's government has stepped up pressure on the protesting students and Serbia's universities, claiming without proof that they were instructed by foreign powers to stage a revolution in the country. Students are planning more protests all over the country this weekend.
