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2017 Serbian protests

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2017 Serbian protests
Part of 2017 social unrest in Serbia
Date3 April 2017–present
Location
Belgrade , Novi Sad, Niš and many other cities, Serbia
Caused by
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance
StatusOngoing
Parties

Protesters

  • Citizens
  • Youth
  • Students
  • Police union
  • Army union
  • Pensioner union
  • Liberals
  • Communists
Lead figures
Number

up to 20,000 in Belgrade,[1]

10,000+ in Novi Sad [2] 3000+ in Niš [3]

The 2017 Serbian protests against dictatorship are mass protests organized across Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and other cities and towns in Serbia, against Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, as a result of the presidential election. The election was marred by accusations of voter intimidation and a near total domination of Serbia’s media by Vučić and his populist conservative Serbian Progressive Party.[4] The protests have been ongoing since April 3 and thousands of people have been gathering on the streets of Serbia's cities on a daily basis. They inform themselves via official facebook protest pages.

Protests

Symbol of 2017 Serbian protest against dictatorship depicting Aleksandar Vučić's hand gesture

The leading participants are university students, however by Sunday, they have been joined by the police, the army, taxi drivers, lawyers, postal office workers and other syndicates who are protesting against the president-elect's authoritarian regime. During 8 April protest, according to president of Army union there were more than 80.000 people in Belgrade walking against dictatorship.[5] A set of demands have been presented to endorse a democratization of the country, including measures to limit and oversee the President-elect's firm control.[6]

Protester holding Lord Acton's quote, referring to Aleksandar Vučić's absolute power

On 11 April protest were joined by NKPJ and left-wing union "Sloga". They protested against "bad situation of worker class" and against expulsion of their members from one Kruševac factory.[7]

The largest protest so far has been held on 12 April. The protesters have called for a break due to the Easter in the demonstrations; the deadline for their ultimatum to the government is to be fulfilled by 17 April. Since their demands were not fulfilled, the demonstrations are continued after the Easter holidays.[8] The media reported that there is a possibility of protest radicalization by blocking the major city streets, bridges and universities.[9]

On 1 May several thousands members of unions and left-wing parties, including NKPJ, protest on International Workers' Day and they support the student protests. They protest against worker law and MMF and for higher pays and better workers rights. In the meantime, union "Sloga" protest in Kruševac.[10]

Organization

Protests are being held without formal organization and leadership. Anyone can participate in deciding and voting via facebook group concerning next steps of protests. Walking routes are either posted on facebook page or being discussed on the spot. Due to decline in number of people walking and "loosing of meaning", group of protesters in Belgrade made separate fraction called "With Culture against dictatorship" which will continue in protesting.[11] Another fraction called "Seven demands" has been formed. Informal group of students dissatisfied with protesters who expressed will to cooperate with oposition in achieving protest goals broke out of main group. They will pursuit in action for "Seven demands" but without implications with political parties and politicans[12]

References

  1. ^ "In Serbia, tens of thousands of people protesting against the President of Serbia". The Newspapers. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Ево колико времена "Против диктатуре" дају Вучићу да испуни захтеве (In Serbian)". Pravda. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Nekoliko hiljada Nislija na protestu(In Serbian)". Juznevesti. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  4. ^ "A Serbian Election Erodes Democracy". The New York Times. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  5. ^ http://www.kurir.rs/vesti/politika/novica-antic-na-protestu-u-beogradu-je-bilo-vise-od-80000-ljudi-clanak-2775051
  6. ^ Da Silva, Chantal (8 April 2017). "Serbian protesters accuse media of turning blind eye, as anti-corruption rallies continue". The Independent. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  7. ^ http://www.nkpj.org.rs/clanci-sr/tekst361.php
  8. ^ http://mondo.rs/a999209/Info/Srbija/Beograd-Protest-10.-dan.html
  9. ^ http://www.danas.rs/politika.56.html?news_id=343622&title=Mogu%C4%87e+blokade+saobra%C4%87ajnica%2C+fakulteta%2C+mostova...
  10. ^ http://www.danas.rs/ekonomija.4.html?news_id=344812&title=+Radnici+MMF-u+slo%c5%beno+rekli+odlazi
  11. ^ https://insajder.net/sr/sajt/tema/4445/Podele-u-studentskom-protestu-Nova-grupa-%E2%80%9EKulturom-protv-diktature%E2%80%9C-kre%C4%87e-u-odvojene-akcije.htm
  12. ^ https://insajder.net/sr/sajt/vazno/4459/Grupa-%E2%80%9ESedam-zahteva%E2%80%9C-na-protestima-%C4%87e-zahtevati-smenu-politike-ne-samo-politi%C4%8Dke-elite.htm

Template:Ongoing protests Template:Anti-government protests in the 21st century

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