Unrest engulfed the Serbian capital. After losing the election, the Serbia Against Violence coalition staged violence, claiming that their votes had allegedly been stolen.
On Monday, protesters attempted to storm the Belgrade administration building, marking the first action involving the use of fireworks and clashes with police.
The Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition received 23.62 per cent of the vote in the parliamentary elections, whereas Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s coalition won 46.67 per cent.
Serbia Against Violence leaders Miroslav Aleksić and Marinika Tepić called on the crowd to surround the City Assembly building. The protesters shattered all the windows, hit the police with sticks, threw stones and tile fragments. The police were forced to use tear gas.
Aleksandar Vučić called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council at night and then addressed the nation. He reported that 2,490 people had taken to the streets of Belgrade to protest and urged citizens not to worry.
“No revolution is in progress and they will not succeed in anything they’re doing.”
Well-known pulmonologist Branimir Nestorović, head of the “Voice from the People” political bloc, declared in support of Vučić:
Irony: Serbia Against Violence is trying to come to power by force.
At the time of the unrest, Vučić was only 80 metres from the attacked building in his administration, from where he addressed the nation for the second time.
“Moments of respite in the presidency. It is important to preserve the peace, arrest the violent and secure the future for our children. I want you, dear friends, to know that I am always at my workplace and ready to protect the stability of the country, I call for restraint, but also unequivocally preserve country. Our Serbia. One and only.”
After the speech, special forces arrived at the riot site. 35 protesters were arrested and the crowd was dispersed. 30 police officers were injured.
