Tens of thousands gather to show support for Vucic
Tens of thousands gathered in the centre of Belgrade on Friday in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a show of power following big anti-government protests over two mass shootings that killed 18 people earlier this month.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and secessionist Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik were among the speakers at the “Serbia of Hope” rally which drew busloads of people from the region.
On May 3, a teenage boy killed nine pupils and a security guard in the first school mass shooting in Serbia. A day later, a 21-year-old man killed eight outside Belgrade, which triggered deep dissatisfaction and protests.
The protestors say the government led by Mr Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has failed to act against criminal elements in society.
They called for Mr Vucic and some ministers to resign, provoking the ruling elite to organise the rally to show how much support they have.
Mr Vucic told supporters he would resign as head of the party yesterday.
“As of (then) I will be president of all citizens of Serbia and not the president of the political party.”
At the rally, people held Serbian flags, pictures of Mr Vucic and a banner reading “With my heart for Vucic”.
“Both you and us are facing similar challenges, and we are both exposed to attacks by the international liberal mainstream,” Mr Szijjarto said.
“They attack us because we want peace in Ukraine, they attack us because we believe in family values and because we refuse to be told what to do.”
“Serbia led by Vucic we trust and we support. Long live Serbia, long live Republika Srpska, long live Russia,” said Mr Dodik, president of the Bosnian Serb Republic.