Demonstrations in Serbia against President Aleksandar Vucic

Summary:

Reports and analyses of the protests unfolding in Serbia since November 2018 against the country's President Aleksandar Vučić.

Further information:

Protestors took to the streets following an attack on 23 November 2018 against one of the most prominent opposition figures, Borko Stefanovic. Opposition groups blamed supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for the assault, which left Mr Stefanovic injured. Since then, demonstrations were launched on a frequent basis to criticise Mr Vucic's increasing control over media, leniency regarding corruption and overall autocratic attitude, amid continuous calls for his resignation.

On 17 March 2019, the crackdown on protests heated up following the decision by some demonstrators to storm the country's public television broadcaster.

News

European Western Balkans, 24/11/2018: EU Ambassador to Serbia condemns assault on opposition members, EU officials urged to react https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2018/11/24/eu-ambassador-serbia-condemns-assault-opposition-members-eu-officials-urged-react/

Deutsche Welle, 27/11/2018: Serbian opposition politicians becoming frequent targets of violent attacks https://p.dw.com/p/3911Z

Reuters, 08/12/2018: Thousands protest in Serbia over attack on opposition politician https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1O70S5

Balkan Insight, 11/12/2018: Serbia Opposition Claim Vucic’s Fall ‘Has Started’ https://balkaninsight.com/2018/12/11/first-protest-only-beginning-serbian-opposition-said-12-10-2018/

Associated Press, 21/12/2018: Opposition leader attack whips Serbia political tensions https://www.apnews.com/3b800ca920174586a101bef409414cb5

The Irish Times, 31/12/2018: Serbian leader ready to hear protesters’ demands as rallies grow https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/serbian-leader-ready-to-hear-protesters-demands-as-rallies-grow-1.3745055

BBC News, 05/01/2019: Serbia protests: Thousands march against President Vucic https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46772500

Reuters, 05/01/2019: Thousands rally in Belgrade against Serbian president https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN1OZ0KW

Balkan Insight, 05/01/2019: Serbian Protesters Maintain Pressure on Vucic, Govt https://balkaninsight.com/2019/01/05/serbian-anti-govt-protesters-say-they-will-not-give-up-01-04-2019/

France24, 05/01/2019: Serbian demonstrators resume anti-president protests https://www.france24.com/en/20190105-serbian-demonstrators-resume-anti-president-protests

Deutsche Welle, 06/01/2019: Serbia: Thousands resume rallies against President Aleksandar Vucic https://p.dw.com/p/3B5DO

Euronews, 24/02/2019: Protests against Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic continue https://www.euronews.com/2019/02/24/protests-against-serbian-president-aleksandar-vucic-continue

The Guardian, 17/03/2019: Protesters invade Serbian state TV amid demonstrations across Balkans https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/17/protesters-invade-serbian-state-tv-amid-demonstrations-across-balkans

BBC News, 17/03/2019: Serbia protests: President Vucic the target of Belgrade rally https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47602362

Euronews, 17/03/2019: Anti-government protesters in Serbia step up their campaign https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/17/anti-government-protesters-in-serbia-step-up-their-campaign

Balkan Insight, 17/03/2019: Violence Erupts at Anti-Govt Protest Outside Serbian Presidency https://balkaninsight.com/2019/03/17/violence-erupts-at-anti-govt-protest-outside-serbian-presidency/

Deutsche Welle, 17/03/2019: Tensions escalate in Belgrade after breach of public TV station https://p.dw.com/p/3FCwt

The Guardian, 17/03/2019: Serbian president vows to restore order amid protesters' call for resignation https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/17/serbian-president-vows-to-restore-order-as-protesters-call-for-resignation-aleksandar-vucic

France24, 17/03/2019: Serbia opposition invade state-run TV to protest President Vucic’s 'autocratic rule' https://www.france24.com/en/20190317-serbia-opposition-invade-tv-protests-week-president-vucic-autocracy

Reuters, 17/03/2019: Protesters rally outside Serbia president's residence, police use pepper spray https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1QY0LJ

EurActiv, 18/03/2019: Pressure builds in Belgrade, EU calls for dialogue with civil society https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/pressure-builds-in-belgrade-eu-call-for-dialogue-with-civil-society/

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Commentary and Analysis

The Economist, 19/01/2019: Is Serbia still on course to join the European Union? https://www.economist.com/europe/2019/01/19/is-serbia-still-on-course-to-join-the-european-union

Euronews, 21/01/2019: Protests in Serbia: Why are people demonstrating against the government? https://www.euronews.com/2019/01/21/protests-in-serbia-why-are-people-demonstrating-against-the-government-euronews-answers

LSE European Institute: EUROPP Blog, 15/02/2019: Two months of protests in Serbia – what’s next? https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2019/02/15/two-months-of-protests-in-serbia-whats-next/

Euro|topics, March 2019: Thousands protesting against Vučić in Serbia https://www.eurotopics.net/en/216692/

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