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2023–2024 Serbian election protests

In December 2023, a series of mass protests began in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, after the parliamentary and Belgrade City Assembly elections on 17 December. The protests have been organised by the Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition, which called for the annulment of the election results.

2023–2024 Serbian election protests
Part of 2023 Serbian parliamentary election and 2023 Belgrade City Assembly election
Demonstrators on 24 December 2023
Date18 December 2023 – present (3 months, 3 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Belgrade, Serbia
Caused bySuspected electoral fraud in the 2023 parliamentary and Belgrade City Assembly elections
GoalsAnnulment of the results of the 2023 elections
Methods
Resulted inNew elections called by the ruling party
Parties

Anti-government protesters

  • Citizens

Opposition organisations

Lead figures
Casualties
Injuries7 police officers severely injured
Arrested38 protesters arrested

According to monitoring and non-governmental organisations, the election day was marked with electoral fraud. This prompted SPN to organise protests, which began on 18 December. Since then, seven representatives of SPN began a hunger strike, demanding the annulment of the election results. Marinika Tepić has been on a hunger strike since the beginning of the protests. An unsuccessful attempt to enter the building of the City Assembly of Belgrade violently occurred on 24 December. The riot resulted in the arrest of 38 demonstrators.

Background edit

A populist coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) came to power after the 2012 parliamentary election, along with the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS).[1][2] In May 2023, a school shooting occurred in the Vračar municipality of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and a mass murder in the villages of Dubona, Mladenovac and Malo Orašje, Smederevo.[3][4] Mass protests, named Serbia Against Violence, began shortly after the shootings.[5][6] These protests lasted until November 2023.[7]

Amidst the protests, opposition parties organising the protests formed the Serbia Against Violence coalition for the parliamentary, Vojvodina provincial, and Belgrade City Assembly elections, which were scheduled for 17 December 2023.[8][9] The elections on 17 December were marked with electoral fraud, according to reports of those who monitored the elections, including CeSID, CRTA, and Kreni-Promeni organisations.[10][11][12] Among the irregularities reported by domestic and international observers were vote buying and ballot-box stuffing. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) stated that the electoral campaign was characterized by "harsh rhetoric, bias in the media, pressure on public sector employees and misuse of public resources".[13] The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights concluded that SNS had a "systematic advantage which created unfair conditions in the elections" and that Aleksandar Vučić, the president of Serbia, heavily dominated the election campaign, despite not being a candidate in it.[14] Stefan Schennach [de], the chief of the delegation of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that monitored the elections, said that "the elections were not fair" and that "the victory in Belgrade was stolen from the opposition".[15][16] Vučić and SNS denied all of the electoral fraud allegations.[11] Ana Brnabić, the prime minister of Serbia, accused the opposition and CRTA of "destabilising Serbia and its constitutional order".[17]

Timeline edit

First week edit

The first protest was organised by SPN outside of the building of the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) on 18 December.[18] At the protest, SPN announced that they would reject the Belgrade City Assembly election results, citing irregularities that took place during the election, while they also demanded the annulment of the election results and the "cleaning" and updating of the voters list.[18] Marinika Tepić and Miroslav Aleksić, the main representatives of SPN, announced that they would go on a hunger strike until their demands are to be accepted; Aleksić, however, later announced that he would go on a "strict fast" instead of a hunger strike.[19][20] Tepić continued her hunger strike inside the RIK building.[18] The protest was met with a few incidents; a group of demonstrators that gathered at the protest threw eggs, tomatoes, and toilet papers at the RIK building.[18][19] Miladin Kovačević, the director of the Republic Bureau of Statistics, was also physically attacked by a demonstrator.[19] The police heavily guarded the building during the protest.[19]

Protests continued to be organised by SPN outside the RIK building; they were also joined by the Students Against Violence organisation, which renamed itself to Struggle (Borba) amidst the protests.[21][22][23] The second protest was also attended by former rector of the University of Belgrade Ivanka Popović, judge Miodrag Majić, and actors Svetlana Bojković and Dragan Bjelogrlić, all of whom initiated ProGlas during the 2023 election campaign, to boost the turnout of the elections.[21] At the third protest, held on 20 December, SPN expanded their demands by calling for the annulment of all elections held on 17 December.[24] Members of the National Assembly of Serbia Jelena Milošević and Danijela Grujić began their hunger strike at the protest on 21 December.[25] At the same protest, SPN representatives called for the European Union to not accept the results and conduct an international investigation.[26] Besides the protest in Belgrade, there was also a protest in Niš on 22 December.[27] Janko Veselinović and Željko Veselinović also began their hunger strike on 22 December.[28] At the protest a day later, Branko Miljuš and Dušan Nikezić, who were elected to the National Assembly in the 2023 election on behalf of SPN, also began their hunger strike.[29]

According to the Archive of Public Gatherings, which is presided by journalist Aleksandar Gubaš, the protest on 24 December was attended by approximately 7,100 demonstrators; Vučić claimed that only 2,490 demonstrators were present at the protest.[30] The protest was announced by Aleksić two days prior due to the deadline for the annulment of the election results.[31] The protest began again in front of the RIK building where Tepić, Aleksić, Srđan Milivojević, and Aleksandar Jovanović Ćuta gave their speeches.[32] Aleksić called for the demonstrators to circle the building of the City Assembly of Belgrade while that Vladimir Obradović, a member of the Temporary Council of Belgrade, and other councillors would enter the building to give a speech from a balcony inside the building.[32] The building was however armed inside with the police and gendarmery, which did not allow Obradović, Aleksić, and Milivojević to enter the building.[32]

A group of demonstrators set off a riot at the protest and they tried to enter the building violently.[32][33] In response to the attempt to enter the building of the City Assembly of Belgrade, Vučić issued an urgent statement, saying that it was an attempt to overthrow the government.[32][34] Police brutality was seen later in the protest; the police and gendarmery attacked demonstrators and used tear gas, pepper spray, and baton.[35][36][37][38] Out of opposition representatives, Ćuta was hit with tear gas while Radomir Lazović and Željko Vagić, the president of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) board in the Belgrade municipality of Grocka, were attacked by the gendarmery.[39][40][41] Aleksandar Šapić, the president of the Temporary Council of Belgrade and former mayor of Belgrade, gave a press conference inside the City Assembly building once the protest ended.[32]

Dragan Đilas, the president of SSP, claimed that the rioters were sent by a group of convicted criminal Đorđe Prelić; Đilas also alleged that Šapić had connections to Prelić, though, Šapić denied this.[42][43] The head of the Police Administration, Ivica Ivković, accused SPN of being behind the riot.[44] Ivković informed that 38 demonstrators were arrested and the Ministry of Internal Affairs informed that 7 police officers were injured.[45][46]

Second week edit

Roadblocks organised by the Students Against Violence organisation were held in front of the building of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government (MDULS) and later in the Kneza Miloša Street on 25 December.[47][48] Another protest organised by SPN was held on the same day.[49]

Reactions edit

Domestic reactions edit

Government edit

Vladimir Dimitrijević, the president of RIK, said that RIK and the Belgrade City Election Commission do not have the right to annul the Belgrade City Assembly elections and that they could instead only annul the results at certain voting stations.[50] MDULS also said that the voters list is up-to-date and declined the claim that "phantom voters" exist.[51]

Commenting on Tepić's hunger strike, Vučić said that "she is free to stop her hunger strike and get back to her duties" and reminded that Tomislav Nikolić's hunger strike in 2011 "did not achieve anything but it only deteriorated his health".[52] Amidst the 24 December protest, Ivica Dačić, the deputy prime minister and president of the Socialist Party of Serbia, said that "Socialist Party of Serbia and I, as its president, strongly condemn the attempt to forcibly occupy the City Assembly of Belgrade".[53] Šapić said that the election protests "are the beginning of a civil war" and compared them to Euromaidan.[54] Brnabić also compared the protests to Euromaidan.[55]

Opposition edit

Besides SPN, opposition parties and coalitions such as the National Democratic Alternative (NADA), People's Party, Social Democratic Party, and Dveri expressed their support for rejecting the 2023 election results.[56] Miloš Jovanović, one of the representative of the NADA coalition, expressed his support for holding new elections and said that citizens have a right to resist and organise peaceful protests.[54][57]

Foreign reactions edit

The protests were strongly criticised by Russia.[58][59] Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Vladimir Putin, accused foreign powers of staging the protests in Belgrade, while Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs of Russia, accused "the West of setting a fire to the already tense enough political situation in Serbia".[60][61] Brnabić thanked the Russian Federal Security Service for providing information to the government of Serbia.[62] After Vučić's meeting with Russian ambassador Alexander Bocan Harchenko on 25 December, Bocan Harchenko said that Vučić informed him that "the incitement to riots came from the West".[63]

References edit

  1. ^ "Izbori 2012: Rezultati i postizborna trgovina" [2012 elections: Results and post-election trade]. Vreme (in Serbian). 10 May 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Srbija ima novu vladu" [Serbia has a new government]. Deutsche Welle (in Serbian). 27 July 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Belgrade shooting: Teen made 'kill list' for Serbia school attack". BBC News. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  4. ^ Dragojlo, Saša (5 May 2023). "Second Mass Shooting in Two Days Stuns Serbia, Killing Eight". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Protest protiv nasilja: Građani tražili ostavke, organizatori – na ulici 50.000" [Protest against violence: Citizens demanded resignations, organisers – there are 50,000 demonstrators on the streets]. N1 (in Serbian). 8 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Srbija i protesti: Desetine hiljada ljudi pod kišobranima zahteva promene, ostavke, "prsten" oko RTS-a" [Serbia and protests: Tens of thousands of people under umbrellas demand change]. BBC News (in Serbian). 27 May 2023. from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Poslednji protest "Srbija protiv nasilja" u ovom formatu: Građanima poručeno "Nemojte da prespavate 17. decembar"" [The last "Serbia Against Violence" protest in this format: Citizens said "don't sleep through 17 December"]. N1 (in Serbian). 4 November 2023. from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  8. ^ Dragojlo, Saša (27 October 2023). "Serbia's Pro-European Opposition Makes Unity Pact for Elections". Balkan Insight. from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Vučić raspisao vanredne parlamentarne izbore za 17. decembar" [Vučić announced snap parliamentary elections for 17 December]. N1 (in Serbian). 1 November 2023. from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  10. ^ "CeSID dosad zabeležio više od 50 nepravilnosti na izborima" [So far, CeSID recorded more than 50 irregularities in the elections]. N1 (in Serbian). 17 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Serbia's ruling populists claim sweeping victory in election amid vote-rigging accusations". The Guardian. 18 December 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  12. ^ Kirby, Paul; Delauney, Guy (17 December 2023). "Serbia election: Vucic claims big election victory for ruling party". BBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  13. ^ Jones, Mared Gwyn (19 December 2023). "Brussels calls on Serbia to probe electoral fraud reports". Euronews.
  14. ^ "ODIHR: Ozbiljne neregularnosti na izborima, predsednik doneo prednost jednoj listi" [ODIHR: Serious irregularities in the elections, the president favoured only one list]. N1 (in Serbian). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Šef posmatračke delegacije: Istina je šokantna, video sam listiće napravljene u kopirnici" [Head of the observation delegation: The truth is shocking, I saw ballots made in the copy shop]. N1 (in Serbian). 19 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  16. ^ fon Namen, Aleksandra (19 December 2023). "Šenah za DW: Pobeda u Beogradu ukradena je opoziciji" [Schennach for DW: The victory in Belgrade was stolen from the opposition]. Deutsche Welle (in Serbian). Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Brnabić: Opozicija, CRTA i druge NVO pokušavaju da destabilizuju zemlju" [Brnabić: The opposition, CRTA and other NGOs are trying to destabilize the country]. Tanjug (in Serbian). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d "Protesti opozicije pred zgradom RIK-a, traže poništavanje izbora u Beogradu" [Protest of the opposition in front of the RIK building, they are demanding the annulling of the elections in Belgrade]. Al Jazeera (in Serbian). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d "Deo opozicije sa protesta traži poništavanje izbora u Beogradu, dvoje lidera štrajkuje glađu" [Part of the opposition is demanding the annulment of the elections in Belgrade from the protest, two leaders are on hunger strike]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Miroslav Aleksić: Marinika štrajkuje glađu, ja sam na strogom postu" [Miroslav Aleksić: Marinika is on hunger strike, I am on a strict fast]. Vreme (in Serbian). 19 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Drugi protest u Beogradu zbog navoda o izbornoj krađi" [Second protest in Belgrade due to allegations of election theft]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 19 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  22. ^ Petrović, Ivica (19 December 2023). "Protesti u Srbiji: Dio opozicije traži poništavanje izbora" [Protests in Serbia: Part of the opposition demands the annulment of the election]. Deutsche Welle (in Bosnian). Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  23. ^ Stevanović, Lena (20 December 2023). "Danas saznaje: Grupa "Studenti protiv nasilja" postaje pokret "Borba"" [Danas learns: Group "Students Against Violence" became the "Struggle" movement]. Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Sa trećeg protesta ispred RIK-a u Beogradu zatraženo poništavanje izbora na svim nivoima" [With the third protest in front of the RIK in Belgrade, the annulment of the elections at all levels was requested]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Četvrti protest u Beogradu zbog navoda izbornoj krađi, još dve opozicione poslanice štrajkuju glađu" [The fourth protest in Belgrade due to allegations of election theft, two more opposition MPs are on hunger strike]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 21 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Četvrti protest ispred RIK-a, SPN traži od EU da ne prizna rezultate, još dve poslanice štrajkuju glađu" [The fourth protest in front of the RIK, SPN asks the EU not to recognize the results, two more MPs are on hunger strike]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 21 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Peti protest ispred RIK-a u Beogradu, podrška SPN-u i iz Niša" [The fifth protest in front of the RIK in Belgrade, support for the SPN from Niš as well]. Radio Television of Serbia (in Serbian). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  28. ^ "U štrajk glađu stupaju i Janko Veselinović i Željko Veselinović" [Janko Veselinović and Željko Veselinović also go on hunger strike]. N1 (in Serbian). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Još jedan protest ispred RIK-a, u nedelju ističe rok za poništavanje izbora, u suprotnom – blokade" [Another protest in front of the RIK, the deadline for annulment of the election expires on Sunday, otherwise – blockades]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 23 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Arhiv javnih skupova: Na protestu ispred Skupštine grada 7.100 građana" [Archive of Public gatherings: 7,100 citizens protested in front of the City Assembly]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  31. ^ "Opozicija najavila veliki protest u nedelju: "Ističe rok da se ponište izbori"" [The opposition announced a big protest on Sunday: "The deadline to cancel the elections is running out"]. N1 (in Serbian). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "Policija rasterala demonstrante, protest završen: Ima uhapšenih i povređenih" [The police dispersed the protesters, the protest is over: There are arrests and injuries]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  33. ^ Edwards, Christian; Pennington, Josh (25 December 2023). "Demonstrators try to storm Belgrade city hall in protest against "stolen" Serbian elections". CNN. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  34. ^ Stojanović, Dušan (24 December 2023). "Police in Serbia fire tear gas at election protesters threatening to storm capital's city hall". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  35. ^ "Policija tukla demonstrante, prve informacije – ima uhapšenih i povređenih" [The police beat the demonstrators, the first information – there are arrests and injuries]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Šta je to biber sprej i kako deluje kad vas isprskaju njim" [What is pepper spray and how does it work when you are sprayed with it]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Suzavac, privođenja i razbijena stakla na protestu opozicije u Beogradu" [Tear gas, arrests, and broken windows at the opposition protest in Belgrade]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  38. ^ Gec, Jovana (25 December 2023). "Serbia police detain at least 38 people as opposition plans more protests against election results". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  39. ^ "Ćuta: Nema razilaženja večeras, ovo jedino otpor građana može da reši" [Ćuta: We are not leaving tonight, only the resistance of the citizens can solve this]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  40. ^ "Lazović kaže da ga je napala Žandarmerija: Nisu se osvrtali na to što je sam poslanik" [Lazović says that he was attacked by the gendarmery: They didn't look back on the fact that I am a member of parliament]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Policija pretukla predsednika SSP-a Grocka na protestu sinoć: "Oborili su me na zemlju i tukli, slomljena mi je noga"" [The police beat SSP President in Grocka at the protest last night: "They knocked me to the ground and beat me, my leg was broken"]. NOVA portal (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  42. ^ "Đilas: Nerede izazvali huligani Đorđa Prelića koji su poslati da prave incidente" [Đilas: The riots were caused by Đorđe Prelić's hooligans who were sent to create incidents]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Šapić demantuje Đilasa u vezi s Prelićem: Od sad ćemo malo drugačije da razgovaramo" [Šapić denies Đilas regarding Prelić: From now on, we will talk a little differently]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  44. ^ "Policija optužila "Srbiju protiv nasilja" da je izazvala nerede: "Pokazali pravo lice i namere"" [Police accused "Serbia Against Violence" of causing riots: "They showed their true colors and intentions"]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Procesuirano 38 ljudi sa protesta u Beogradu" [38 people from the protest in Belgrade have been processed]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  46. ^ "Sedam policajaca povređeno tokom protesta u Beogradu" [Seven policemen were injured during the protest in Belgrade]. Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  47. ^ Radovanović, Vojin; Vukajlović, Nađa; Stevanović, Lena (25 December 2023). "Blokada u ulici Kneza Miloša završena: Demonstranti se uputili ka zgradi RIK-a" [The blockade in Kneza Miloša Street is over: The demonstrators headed for the RIK building]. Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Posle blokade Ministarstva državne uprave, studenti blokirali i raskrsnicu kod Vlade; Ministarstvo: Uz Vučića smo" [After blocking the Ministry of State Administration, students also blocked the intersection near the Government; Ministry: We are with Vučić]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  49. ^ "Protest u Beogradu: Blokirana raskrsnica Nemanjine i Kneza Miloša, policija preusmerava saobraćaj" [Protest in Belgrade: The intersection of Nemanjina and Knez Miloš is blocked, the police are diverting traffic]. Euronews (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  50. ^ "RIK ponovio da nije nadležan za poništavanje izbora u Beogradu" [RIK reiterated that it is not competent to annul the elections in Belgrade]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  51. ^ "MDULS: Birački spisak ažuran, tvrdnje o "fantomskim biračima" nisu istinite" [MDULS: Voter list up to date, claims about "phantom voters" are not true]. Tanjug (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  52. ^ "Vučić o štrajku glađu opozicije: Ništa neće postići time kao što nije ni Tomislav Nikolić" [Vučić on the opposition's hunger strike: He won't achieve anything with it, just like Tomislav Nikolić didn't]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  53. ^ "Dačić o protestu: Puna podrška organima u merama protiv nasilnika i Vučiću u odbrani slobode" [Dačić on the protest: Full support for the authorities in measures against thugs and for Vučić in defending freedom]. N1 (in Serbian). 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  54. ^ a b "Treći protest ispred RIK-a, studenti od ponedeljka najavljuju radikalizaciju i blokade" [The third protest in front of the RIK, students have been announcing radicalisation and blockades since Monday]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  55. ^ "Dan posle nereda Vučić kod Harčenka, Đilas tvrdi da su navijači upadali u Skupštinu Beograda" [The day after the Vučić riot near Harchenko, Đilas claims that hooligans broke into the Belgrade Assembly]. Voice of America (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  56. ^ Milenković, Mirjana R. (21 December 2023). "Koje stranke opozicije još podržavaju ponavljanje izbora?" [Which opposition parties still support repeating the elections?]. Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  57. ^ "Jovanović: Građani imaju pravo na otpor i mirne proteste" [Jovanović: Citizens have the right to resistance and peaceful protests]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  58. ^ Martinović, Iva (25 December 2023). "Ruske službe i opozicioni protesti u Srbiji: Podrška Vučiću i optužbe na račun Zapada" [Russian services and opposition protests in Serbia: Support for Vučić and accusations against the West]. Radio Free Europe (in Serbian). Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  59. ^ Sekularac, Ivana (25 December 2023). "Eight police injured, 38 detained in Serb opposition protest over election". Reuters. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  60. ^ "Peskov: Treće strane i inostranstvo pokušavaju da izazovu nemire u Beogradu" [Peskov: Third parties and foreign countries are trying to cause unrest in Belgrade]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  61. ^ "Zaharova: Zapad pokušava da potpali već napetu političku situaciju u Srbiji" [Zakharova: The West is trying to inflame the already tense political situation in Serbia]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  62. ^ "Ana Brnabić: Zahvaljujem se ruskim službama bezbednosti" [Ana Brnabić: I would like to thank the Russian security services]. N1 (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  63. ^ "Ruski ambasador Bocan Harčenko: Vučić me informisao da Zapad stoji iza nereda u Beogradu" [Russian Ambassador Bocan Harchenko: Vučić informed me that the West is behind the riots in Belgrade]. Danas (in Serbian). 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.

2023, 2024, serbian, election, protests, december, 2023, series, mass, protests, began, belgrade, capital, serbia, after, parliamentary, belgrade, city, assembly, elections, december, protests, have, been, organised, serbia, against, violence, coalition, which. In December 2023 a series of mass protests began in Belgrade the capital of Serbia after the parliamentary and Belgrade City Assembly elections on 17 December The protests have been organised by the Serbia Against Violence SPN coalition which called for the annulment of the election results 2023 2024 Serbian election protestsPart of 2023 Serbian parliamentary election and 2023 Belgrade City Assembly electionDemonstrators on 24 December 2023Date18 December 2023 present 3 months 3 weeks and 1 day LocationBelgrade SerbiaCaused bySuspected electoral fraud in the 2023 parliamentary and Belgrade City Assembly electionsGoalsAnnulment of the results of the 2023 electionsMethodsDemonstrationshunger strikeriotscivil roadblockscivil disordercivil disobedienceResulted inNew elections called by the ruling partyPartiesAnti government protesters CitizensOpposition organisations Serbia Against Violence Students Against Violence Struggle Government of Serbia PoliceGovernment parties Serbian Progressive Party Socialist Party of SerbiaLead figuresDragan ĐilasMarinika TepicMiroslav AleksicVladimir ObradovicSrđan MilivojevicAleksandar Jovanovic CutaRadomir Lazovic Aleksandar VucicAna BrnabicAleksandar SapicBratislav GasicCasualtiesInjuries7 police officers severely injuredArrested38 protesters arrestedAccording to monitoring and non governmental organisations the election day was marked with electoral fraud This prompted SPN to organise protests which began on 18 December Since then seven representatives of SPN began a hunger strike demanding the annulment of the election results Marinika Tepic has been on a hunger strike since the beginning of the protests An unsuccessful attempt to enter the building of the City Assembly of Belgrade violently occurred on 24 December The riot resulted in the arrest of 38 demonstrators Contents 1 Background 2 Timeline 2 1 First week 2 2 Second week 3 Reactions 3 1 Domestic reactions 3 1 1 Government 3 1 2 Opposition 3 2 Foreign reactions 4 ReferencesBackground editFurther information 2023 Serbian protests 2023 Serbian parliamentary election and 2023 Belgrade City Assembly election A populist coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party SNS came to power after the 2012 parliamentary election along with the Socialist Party of Serbia SPS 1 2 In May 2023 a school shooting occurred in the Vracar municipality of Belgrade the capital of Serbia and a mass murder in the villages of Dubona Mladenovac and Malo Orasje Smederevo 3 4 Mass protests named Serbia Against Violence began shortly after the shootings 5 6 These protests lasted until November 2023 7 Amidst the protests opposition parties organising the protests formed the Serbia Against Violence coalition for the parliamentary Vojvodina provincial and Belgrade City Assembly elections which were scheduled for 17 December 2023 8 9 The elections on 17 December were marked with electoral fraud according to reports of those who monitored the elections including CeSID CRTA and Kreni Promeni organisations 10 11 12 Among the irregularities reported by domestic and international observers were vote buying and ballot box stuffing The Organization for Security and Co operation in Europe OSCE stated that the electoral campaign was characterized by harsh rhetoric bias in the media pressure on public sector employees and misuse of public resources 13 The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights concluded that SNS had a systematic advantage which created unfair conditions in the elections and that Aleksandar Vucic the president of Serbia heavily dominated the election campaign despite not being a candidate in it 14 Stefan Schennach de the chief of the delegation of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that monitored the elections said that the elections were not fair and that the victory in Belgrade was stolen from the opposition 15 16 Vucic and SNS denied all of the electoral fraud allegations 11 Ana Brnabic the prime minister of Serbia accused the opposition and CRTA of destabilising Serbia and its constitutional order 17 Timeline editFirst week edit The first protest was organised by SPN outside of the building of the Republic Electoral Commission RIK on 18 December 18 At the protest SPN announced that they would reject the Belgrade City Assembly election results citing irregularities that took place during the election while they also demanded the annulment of the election results and the cleaning and updating of the voters list 18 Marinika Tepic and Miroslav Aleksic the main representatives of SPN announced that they would go on a hunger strike until their demands are to be accepted Aleksic however later announced that he would go on a strict fast instead of a hunger strike 19 20 Tepic continued her hunger strike inside the RIK building 18 The protest was met with a few incidents a group of demonstrators that gathered at the protest threw eggs tomatoes and toilet papers at the RIK building 18 19 Miladin Kovacevic the director of the Republic Bureau of Statistics was also physically attacked by a demonstrator 19 The police heavily guarded the building during the protest 19 Protests continued to be organised by SPN outside the RIK building they were also joined by the Students Against Violence organisation which renamed itself to Struggle Borba amidst the protests 21 22 23 The second protest was also attended by former rector of the University of Belgrade Ivanka Popovic judge Miodrag Majic and actors Svetlana Bojkovic and Dragan Bjelogrlic all of whom initiated ProGlas during the 2023 election campaign to boost the turnout of the elections 21 At the third protest held on 20 December SPN expanded their demands by calling for the annulment of all elections held on 17 December 24 Members of the National Assembly of Serbia Jelena Milosevic and Danijela Grujic began their hunger strike at the protest on 21 December 25 At the same protest SPN representatives called for the European Union to not accept the results and conduct an international investigation 26 Besides the protest in Belgrade there was also a protest in Nis on 22 December 27 Janko Veselinovic and Zeljko Veselinovic also began their hunger strike on 22 December 28 At the protest a day later Branko Miljus and Dusan Nikezic who were elected to the National Assembly in the 2023 election on behalf of SPN also began their hunger strike 29 According to the Archive of Public Gatherings which is presided by journalist Aleksandar Gubas the protest on 24 December was attended by approximately 7 100 demonstrators Vucic claimed that only 2 490 demonstrators were present at the protest 30 The protest was announced by Aleksic two days prior due to the deadline for the annulment of the election results 31 The protest began again in front of the RIK building where Tepic Aleksic Srđan Milivojevic and Aleksandar Jovanovic Cuta gave their speeches 32 Aleksic called for the demonstrators to circle the building of the City Assembly of Belgrade while that Vladimir Obradovic a member of the Temporary Council of Belgrade and other councillors would enter the building to give a speech from a balcony inside the building 32 The building was however armed inside with the police and gendarmery which did not allow Obradovic Aleksic and Milivojevic to enter the building 32 A group of demonstrators set off a riot at the protest and they tried to enter the building violently 32 33 In response to the attempt to enter the building of the City Assembly of Belgrade Vucic issued an urgent statement saying that it was an attempt to overthrow the government 32 34 Police brutality was seen later in the protest the police and gendarmery attacked demonstrators and used tear gas pepper spray and baton 35 36 37 38 Out of opposition representatives Cuta was hit with tear gas while Radomir Lazovic and Zeljko Vagic the president of the Party of Freedom and Justice SSP board in the Belgrade municipality of Grocka were attacked by the gendarmery 39 40 41 Aleksandar Sapic the president of the Temporary Council of Belgrade and former mayor of Belgrade gave a press conference inside the City Assembly building once the protest ended 32 Dragan Đilas the president of SSP claimed that the rioters were sent by a group of convicted criminal Đorđe Prelic Đilas also alleged that Sapic had connections to Prelic though Sapic denied this 42 43 The head of the Police Administration Ivica Ivkovic accused SPN of being behind the riot 44 Ivkovic informed that 38 demonstrators were arrested and the Ministry of Internal Affairs informed that 7 police officers were injured 45 46 Second week edit Roadblocks organised by the Students Against Violence organisation were held in front of the building of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government MDULS and later in the Kneza Milosa Street on 25 December 47 48 Another protest organised by SPN was held on the same day 49 Reactions editDomestic reactions edit Government edit Vladimir Dimitrijevic the president of RIK said that RIK and the Belgrade City Election Commission do not have the right to annul the Belgrade City Assembly elections and that they could instead only annul the results at certain voting stations 50 MDULS also said that the voters list is up to date and declined the claim that phantom voters exist 51 Commenting on Tepic s hunger strike Vucic said that she is free to stop her hunger strike and get back to her duties and reminded that Tomislav Nikolic s hunger strike in 2011 did not achieve anything but it only deteriorated his health 52 Amidst the 24 December protest Ivica Dacic the deputy prime minister and president of the Socialist Party of Serbia said that Socialist Party of Serbia and I as its president strongly condemn the attempt to forcibly occupy the City Assembly of Belgrade 53 Sapic said that the election protests are the beginning of a civil war and compared them to Euromaidan 54 Brnabic also compared the protests to Euromaidan 55 Opposition edit Besides SPN opposition parties and coalitions such as the National Democratic Alternative NADA People s Party Social Democratic Party and Dveri expressed their support for rejecting the 2023 election results 56 Milos Jovanovic one of the representative of the NADA coalition expressed his support for holding new elections and said that citizens have a right to resist and organise peaceful protests 54 57 Foreign reactions edit The protests were strongly criticised by Russia 58 59 Dmitry Peskov the press secretary of Vladimir Putin accused foreign powers of staging the protests in Belgrade while Maria Zakharova the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs of Russia accused the West of setting a fire to the already tense enough political situation in Serbia 60 61 Brnabic thanked the Russian Federal Security Service for providing information to the government of Serbia 62 After Vucic s meeting with Russian ambassador Alexander Bocan Harchenko on 25 December Bocan Harchenko said that Vucic informed him that the incitement to riots came from the West 63 References edit Izbori 2012 Rezultati i postizborna trgovina 2012 elections Results and post election trade Vreme in Serbian 10 May 2012 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Srbija ima novu vladu Serbia has a new government Deutsche Welle in Serbian 27 July 2012 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Belgrade shooting Teen made kill list for Serbia school attack BBC News 3 May 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Dragojlo Sasa 5 May 2023 Second Mass Shooting in Two Days Stuns Serbia Killing Eight Balkan Insight Retrieved 25 December 2023 Protest protiv nasilja Građani trazili ostavke organizatori na ulici 50 000 Protest against violence Citizens demanded resignations organisers there are 50 000 demonstrators on the streets N1 in Serbian 8 May 2023 Retrieved 17 May 2023 Srbija i protesti Desetine hiljada ljudi pod kisobranima zahteva promene ostavke prsten oko RTS a Serbia and protests Tens of thousands of people under umbrellas demand change BBC News in Serbian 27 May 2023 Archived from the original on 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Poslednji protest Srbija protiv nasilja u ovom formatu Građanima poruceno Nemojte da prespavate 17 decembar The last Serbia Against Violence protest in this format Citizens said don t sleep through 17 December N1 in Serbian 4 November 2023 Archived from the original on 5 November 2023 Retrieved 5 November 2023 Dragojlo Sasa 27 October 2023 Serbia s Pro European Opposition Makes Unity Pact for Elections Balkan Insight Archived from the original on 27 October 2023 Retrieved 27 October 2023 Vucic raspisao vanredne parlamentarne izbore za 17 decembar Vucic announced snap parliamentary elections for 17 December N1 in Serbian 1 November 2023 Archived from the original on 1 November 2023 Retrieved 1 November 2023 CeSID dosad zabelezio vise od 50 nepravilnosti na izborima So far CeSID recorded more than 50 irregularities in the elections N1 in Serbian 17 December 2023 Retrieved 18 December 2023 a b Serbia s ruling populists claim sweeping victory in election amid vote rigging accusations The Guardian 18 December 2023 ISSN 0261 3077 Retrieved 18 December 2023 Kirby Paul Delauney Guy 17 December 2023 Serbia election Vucic claims big election victory for ruling party BBC News Retrieved 18 December 2023 Jones Mared Gwyn 19 December 2023 Brussels calls on Serbia to probe electoral fraud reports Euronews ODIHR Ozbiljne neregularnosti na izborima predsednik doneo prednost jednoj listi ODIHR Serious irregularities in the elections the president favoured only one list N1 in Serbian 18 December 2023 Retrieved 18 December 2023 Sef posmatracke delegacije Istina je sokantna video sam listice napravljene u kopirnici Head of the observation delegation The truth is shocking I saw ballots made in the copy shop N1 in Serbian 19 December 2023 Retrieved 20 December 2023 fon Namen Aleksandra 19 December 2023 Senah za DW Pobeda u Beogradu ukradena je opoziciji Schennach for DW The victory in Belgrade was stolen from the opposition Deutsche Welle in Serbian Retrieved 20 December 2023 Brnabic Opozicija CRTA i druge NVO pokusavaju da destabilizuju zemlju Brnabic The opposition CRTA and other NGOs are trying to destabilize the country Tanjug in Serbian 22 December 2023 Retrieved 23 December 2023 a b c d Protesti opozicije pred zgradom RIK a traze ponistavanje izbora u Beogradu Protest of the opposition in front of the RIK building they are demanding the annulling of the elections in Belgrade Al Jazeera in Serbian 18 December 2023 Retrieved 18 December 2023 a b c d Deo opozicije sa protesta trazi ponistavanje izbora u Beogradu dvoje lidera strajkuje glađu Part of the opposition is demanding the annulment of the elections in Belgrade from the protest two leaders are on hunger strike Radio Free Europe in Serbian 18 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Miroslav Aleksic Marinika strajkuje glađu ja sam na strogom postu Miroslav Aleksic Marinika is on hunger strike I am on a strict fast Vreme in Serbian 19 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 a b Drugi protest u Beogradu zbog navoda o izbornoj krađi Second protest in Belgrade due to allegations of election theft Radio Free Europe in Serbian 19 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Petrovic Ivica 19 December 2023 Protesti u Srbiji Dio opozicije trazi ponistavanje izbora Protests in Serbia Part of the opposition demands the annulment of the election Deutsche Welle in Bosnian Retrieved 25 December 2023 Stevanovic Lena 20 December 2023 Danas saznaje Grupa Studenti protiv nasilja postaje pokret Borba Danas learns Group Students Against Violence became the Struggle movement Danas in Serbian Retrieved 25 December 2023 Sa treceg protesta ispred RIK a u Beogradu zatrazeno ponistavanje izbora na svim nivoima With the third protest in front of the RIK in Belgrade the annulment of the elections at all levels was requested Radio Free Europe in Serbian 20 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Cetvrti protest u Beogradu zbog navoda izbornoj krađi jos dve opozicione poslanice strajkuju glađu The fourth protest in Belgrade due to allegations of election theft two more opposition MPs are on hunger strike Radio Free Europe in Serbian 21 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Cetvrti protest ispred RIK a SPN trazi od EU da ne prizna rezultate jos dve poslanice strajkuju glađu The fourth protest in front of the RIK SPN asks the EU not to recognize the results two more MPs are on hunger strike Voice of America in Serbian 21 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Peti protest ispred RIK a u Beogradu podrska SPN u i iz Nisa The fifth protest in front of the RIK in Belgrade support for the SPN from Nis as well Radio Television of Serbia in Serbian 22 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 U strajk glađu stupaju i Janko Veselinovic i Zeljko Veselinovic Janko Veselinovic and Zeljko Veselinovic also go on hunger strike N1 in Serbian 22 December 2023 Retrieved 23 December 2023 Jos jedan protest ispred RIK a u nedelju istice rok za ponistavanje izbora u suprotnom blokade Another protest in front of the RIK the deadline for annulment of the election expires on Sunday otherwise blockades Voice of America in Serbian 23 December 2023 Retrieved 24 December 2023 Arhiv javnih skupova Na protestu ispred Skupstine grada 7 100 građana Archive of Public gatherings 7 100 citizens protested in front of the City Assembly N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Opozicija najavila veliki protest u nedelju Istice rok da se poniste izbori The opposition announced a big protest on Sunday The deadline to cancel the elections is running out N1 in Serbian 22 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 a b c d e f Policija rasterala demonstrante protest zavrsen Ima uhapsenih i povređenih The police dispersed the protesters the protest is over There are arrests and injuries N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Edwards Christian Pennington Josh 25 December 2023 Demonstrators try to storm Belgrade city hall in protest against stolen Serbian elections CNN Retrieved 25 December 2023 Stojanovic Dusan 24 December 2023 Police in Serbia fire tear gas at election protesters threatening to storm capital s city hall Associated Press Retrieved 25 December 2023 Policija tukla demonstrante prve informacije ima uhapsenih i povređenih The police beat the demonstrators the first information there are arrests and injuries N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Sta je to biber sprej i kako deluje kad vas isprskaju njim What is pepper spray and how does it work when you are sprayed with it NOVA portal in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Suzavac privođenja i razbijena stakla na protestu opozicije u Beogradu Tear gas arrests and broken windows at the opposition protest in Belgrade Voice of America in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Gec Jovana 25 December 2023 Serbia police detain at least 38 people as opposition plans more protests against election results Associated Press Retrieved 25 December 2023 Cuta Nema razilazenja veceras ovo jedino otpor građana moze da resi Cuta We are not leaving tonight only the resistance of the citizens can solve this N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Lazovic kaze da ga je napala Zandarmerija Nisu se osvrtali na to sto je sam poslanik Lazovic says that he was attacked by the gendarmery They didn t look back on the fact that I am a member of parliament N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Policija pretukla predsednika SSP a Grocka na protestu sinoc Oborili su me na zemlju i tukli slomljena mi je noga The police beat SSP President in Grocka at the protest last night They knocked me to the ground and beat me my leg was broken NOVA portal in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Đilas Nerede izazvali huligani Đorđa Prelica koji su poslati da prave incidente Đilas The riots were caused by Đorđe Prelic s hooligans who were sent to create incidents N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Sapic demantuje Đilasa u vezi s Prelicem Od sad cemo malo drugacije da razgovaramo Sapic denies Đilas regarding Prelic From now on we will talk a little differently N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Policija optuzila Srbiju protiv nasilja da je izazvala nerede Pokazali pravo lice i namere Police accused Serbia Against Violence of causing riots They showed their true colors and intentions N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Procesuirano 38 ljudi sa protesta u Beogradu 38 people from the protest in Belgrade have been processed Radio Free Europe in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Sedam policajaca povređeno tokom protesta u Beogradu Seven policemen were injured during the protest in Belgrade Radio Slobodna Evropa in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Radovanovic Vojin Vukajlovic Nađa Stevanovic Lena 25 December 2023 Blokada u ulici Kneza Milosa zavrsena Demonstranti se uputili ka zgradi RIK a The blockade in Kneza Milosa Street is over The demonstrators headed for the RIK building Danas in Serbian Retrieved 25 December 2023 Posle blokade Ministarstva drzavne uprave studenti blokirali i raskrsnicu kod Vlade Ministarstvo Uz Vucica smo After blocking the Ministry of State Administration students also blocked the intersection near the Government Ministry We are with Vucic Voice of America in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Protest u Beogradu Blokirana raskrsnica Nemanjine i Kneza Milosa policija preusmerava saobracaj Protest in Belgrade The intersection of Nemanjina and Knez Milos is blocked the police are diverting traffic Euronews in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 RIK ponovio da nije nadlezan za ponistavanje izbora u Beogradu RIK reiterated that it is not competent to annul the elections in Belgrade Radio Free Europe in Serbian 20 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 MDULS Biracki spisak azuran tvrdnje o fantomskim biracima nisu istinite MDULS Voter list up to date claims about phantom voters are not true Tanjug in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Vucic o strajku glađu opozicije Nista nece postici time kao sto nije ni Tomislav Nikolic Vucic on the opposition s hunger strike He won t achieve anything with it just like Tomislav Nikolic didn t N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Dacic o protestu Puna podrska organima u merama protiv nasilnika i Vucicu u odbrani slobode Dacic on the protest Full support for the authorities in measures against thugs and for Vucic in defending freedom N1 in Serbian 24 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 a b Treci protest ispred RIK a studenti od ponedeljka najavljuju radikalizaciju i blokade The third protest in front of the RIK students have been announcing radicalisation and blockades since Monday Voice of America in Serbian 20 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Dan posle nereda Vucic kod Harcenka Đilas tvrdi da su navijaci upadali u Skupstinu Beograda The day after the Vucic riot near Harchenko Đilas claims that hooligans broke into the Belgrade Assembly Voice of America in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Milenkovic Mirjana R 21 December 2023 Koje stranke opozicije jos podrzavaju ponavljanje izbora Which opposition parties still support repeating the elections Danas in Serbian Retrieved 21 December 2023 Jovanovic Građani imaju pravo na otpor i mirne proteste Jovanovic Citizens have the right to resistance and peaceful protests N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Martinovic Iva 25 December 2023 Ruske sluzbe i opozicioni protesti u Srbiji Podrska Vucicu i optuzbe na racun Zapada Russian services and opposition protests in Serbia Support for Vucic and accusations against the West Radio Free Europe in Serbian Retrieved 25 December 2023 Sekularac Ivana 25 December 2023 Eight police injured 38 detained in Serb opposition protest over election Reuters Retrieved 25 December 2023 Peskov Trece strane i inostranstvo pokusavaju da izazovu nemire u Beogradu Peskov Third parties and foreign countries are trying to cause unrest in Belgrade N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Zaharova Zapad pokusava da potpali vec napetu politicku situaciju u Srbiji Zakharova The West is trying to inflame the already tense political situation in Serbia N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Ana Brnabic Zahvaljujem se ruskim sluzbama bezbednosti Ana Brnabic I would like to thank the Russian security services N1 in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Ruski ambasador Bocan Harcenko Vucic me informisao da Zapad stoji iza nereda u Beogradu Russian Ambassador Bocan Harchenko Vucic informed me that the West is behind the riots in Belgrade Danas in Serbian 25 December 2023 Retrieved 25 December 2023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2023 2024 Serbian election protests amp oldid 1211646525, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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