In Belgrade, one of the largest anti -government protests took place in Serbia in recent years, gathered up to one million participants. Protesting against corruption and inefficiency of the authorities, hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the Presidential Administration Alexander Vuchich.
These protests were the culmination of a few months of movement, which began after the tragic incident - the collapse of the canopy at the railway station in the new garden, which resulted in 15 people. This has become a symbol of the country's deep problems, including corruption and negligence of the authorities. The protest actions were not limited to students only - workers, farmers and veterans participated in the demonstrations. The culmination of the protest was the "Parade of Tractors" and stocks with blocking streets and administrative buildings in the capital. According to the opposition media, the number of participants exceeded 300 thousand, and some sources even estimate it in a million. The most important requirement of demonstrators was the removal of President Vuchich from the authorities and investigating the circumstances of the tragedy in the New Garden. In response to protests, the Serbian government strengthened security measures by collecting special forces in the center of the capital. The protest actions did not go without incidents: several people were injured as a result of collisions with the police, and one car drove into a crowd of protesters. It is also reported that law enforcement officers used sound guns against protesters, which caused panic among participants. Several activists were detained in the fights, and one of them threatened to undermine the Presidential Administration, which further exacerbated the situation. The president himself responded to protest actions. In a series of television appeals, he stated that protests were illegal and, according to him, organized by foreign forces.
Vuchich stressed that he was not going to resign and would not be pressured from the street, although he noted that he was ready to hold an election in the next three to four months, if the opposition is required. He also criticized the Western media and opposition media, accusing them of manipulation and misinformation. Despite the fact that most Serbs allegedly maintain stability and do not want the "color revolution", the protest movement continues to gain momentum. This testifies to the deep dissatisfaction of the population with the existing government and the political situation in the country. Mass actions are questioned by the stability of the Vicich government and can lead to significant political changes if protesters continue to demand its resignation.
It is difficult to predict further development, but it is obvious that the Serbian political situation is on the verge of serious changes. Not only the future of Vicich, but also the further development of democratic processes in Serbia, depends on how the protests will be resolved.
