Protesters Demand Vucic’s Resignation
Tens of thousands of protesters in Serbia have taken to the streets for a fifth time in a month, demanding President Aleksandar Vucic and his government officials’ immediate resignation. The rally takes place following two mass shootings in the country, indicating a national crisis.
Background
One shooting occurred in an elementary school in central Belgrade, where a 13-year-old boy took his father’s gun and opened fire on fellow students, resulting in eight students and a school guard dead, with seven others injured. The next day, a 20-year-old used an automatic weapon to randomly target people in two villages south of Belgrade, killing eight people and wounding 14 more.
The Protest
The protesters, including the university student-led march, called for the revocation of broadcasting licenses for TV networks that promote violence and glorify crime figures, as they insist that the government had negligently fuelled the intolerance and hate speech that caused the crisis. Throughout the city of Belgrade, protesters chanted slogans such as “Serbia Against Violence,” indicating their peaceful attitude towards change. However, the protest has been infiltrated by right-wing groups to promote nationalism.
Vucic’s Response
Even as the protesters’ demands have become increasingly vocal, Vucic rejected any responsibility for the country’s national crisis and refused to step down. The president claims that the opposition wants him toppled by force and has responded by sending police to schools to enhance security, initiating a gun crackdown in the aftermath of the shootings, and other gun control measures.
Conclusion
The protests in Serbia indicate a trend towards modern-day societal attitudes of taking responsibility for governing. Although nationalism infiltrated the peaceful protest, it did not hinder the protesters’ message to demand change non-violently. The government’s response to enhance security, initiate gun control measures, and tighten controls on gun owners and shooting ranges will hopefully lead to a decline in violence and intolerance in Serbia.
FAQs
Q1. What do the protesters demand in Serbia?
The protesters demand the immediate resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic and his government officials.
Q2. What caused the national crisis in Serbia?
Two mass shootings, including one in an elementary school in central Belgrade and another in two villages south of Belgrade, caused the national crisis in Serbia.
Q3. What slogans did the protesters chant during the march in Belgrade?
The protesters chanted slogans such as “Serbia Against Violence.”
Q4. How has the government responded to the protests in Serbia?
They have enhanced security, initiated a gun crackdown, and tightened controls on gun owners and shooting ranges.
Q5. Will the protests in Serbia lead to lasting change?
It is too soon to determine if the protests will lead to lasting change; however, the government has made appropriate efforts to enhance security and initiate gun-control measures to reduce violence and intolerance in Serbia.