Serbia: Protests against Vucic election persist in Belgrade
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 April 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Serbia: Protests against Vucic election persist in Belgrade, 5 April 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a70ba.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 05, 2017
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Belgrade for the second straight evening to protest the election of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as president.
Protesters blew whistles and chanted, "No to dictatorship!" outside the Serbian parliament on April 4. The crowd swelled into the thousands and periodically blocked traffic.
Vucic won 55 percent of the vote in the April 2 election. Opposition candidate Sasa Jankovic came in second with 16.4 percent.
Some protesters have alleged that the election was rigged, but the demonstrations have not put forward any demands.
The presidency is largely ceremonial in Serbia, but Vucic is expected to maintain power through control of his ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
He has vowed to continue Serbia's pro-European Union course while at the same time working to maintain ties with traditional ally Russia.
With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
