Serbia Prepares for Pro-Government Rally Amid Rising Discontent Following Tragic Shootings
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Loading... - Reece Gibson
- 26 May 2023
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Anticipating a significant gathering in the Serbian capital, supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic are set to rally on Friday in a show of support for his leadership. Vucic finds himself confronted with an unprecedented revolt against his autocratic rule, a situation exacerbated by two shocking mass shootings that have deeply shaken the nation.
In response to Vucic's call for what he dubbed "the largest rally in the history of Serbia," his loyalists, donning identical T-shirts bearing his portrait, are being transported to Belgrade from various parts of the Balkan country, as well as neighboring Kosovo and Bosnia.
Employees of state-run companies and institutions have been instructed to take the day off work to attend the rally, which will take place in front of the parliament building. Some have even been warned that their jobs may be at risk if they fail to appear, with buses arriving hours before the scheduled start of the gathering.
Serbian officials claim that the rally aims to promote "unity and hope" for Serbia.
In previous weeks, the capital witnessed three major anti-government protests, during which demonstrators demanded the removal of Vucic from power, along with the resignation of two high-ranking security officials. They also called for the revocation of broadcasting licenses for two pro-Vucic TV stations known for promoting violence and frequently hosting convicted war criminals and other criminal figures.
Opposition protesters hold Vucic accountable for fostering an environment of despair and division in the country, which they argue indirectly led to the tragic mass shootings on May 3 and May 4. These shootings claimed the lives of 18 individuals, including schoolchildren who were brutally gunned down by a 13-year-old classmate.
Vucic vehemently denies any responsibility for the shootings, labeling the organizers of the opposition protests as "vultures" and "hyenas" seeking to exploit these tragedies to seize power through force, rather than through democratic elections.
"They do not oppose violence; they desire my downfall," he asserted.
Political analysts suggest that Vucic, who has maintained a tight grip on power for over a decade, aims to overshadow the opposition protests by organizing this mass rally and amassing a large number of participants.
"For the first time, Vucic finds himself in a predicament," remarked political analyst Zoran Gavrilovic. "His challenge does not primarily stem from the opposition but rather from Serbian society, which has awakened."
During the rally, it is expected that Vucic will announce his resignation from the Serbian Progressive Party, opting instead to form "a movement" that unifies all "patriotic forces" within the country. Additionally, he may call for a new parliamentary election to be held in September. However, given the current circumstances in which he exercises full control over all levers of power, including the mainstream media, the opposition is unlikely to accept such a proposal.
Vucic, a former ultra-nationalist with pro-Russia leanings who now expresses a desire to lead the country into the European Union, has accused "foreign intelligence services" of instigating the opposition protests. He claims to have received this information from "sisterly" spy agencies "from the east," presumably referring to Russia.
There are growing concerns that the rally on Friday may escalate into violence, potentially providing justification for a crackdown on future opposition protests, including one scheduled to take place in Belgrade on Saturday.
