Balkans | Thousands march in support of President Vucic in Serbia

Thousands participated in the rally in support of President Aleksandar Vucic, who staged demonstrations against him after the armed attacks that took place in Serbia a while ago.

The demonstration, dubbed “Serbia Hope”, was organized by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) led by Vucic, in which Serbs from Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbs in Serbia are reported to have participated.

The rally was attended by Vucic, the country’s ministers, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik from two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szyjjarto.

A crowd of thousands gathered in front of the Serbian National Assembly, holding a banner reading “For Kosovo, Serbia and Vucic” and carrying the Serbian and Russian flags.

– Vucic will no longer be the leader of the Serbian Progressive Party as of tomorrow

Addressing the crowd that gathered despite the heavy rains in Belgrade, Vucic said that the demonstrations that took place after the armed attacks in the country were aimed at overthrowing him and the government.

Stating that they will continue to fight for the preservation of peace in Kosovo, Vucic stated that he will convene the National Security Council after the rally due to the events taking place in Kosovo.

Stating that they would fight for peace, Vucic said, “We will protect every second of peace, but Serbia will not back down after the attack on the Serbs in Kosovo. You want to expel the Serbs? You will not expel them.” He said.

Vucic gave the citizens the “I’m not going anywhere” message, stating that he would no longer be the leader of SNS, which he had led for 11 years, but would remain a party member from tomorrow. Vucic stated that he would continue to fight for his country, and that he would establish a “people’s movement” for this struggle.

Vucic was supported by the Bosnian Serb leader Dodik and the Hungarian Minister Szyjjarto

Expressing his attendance at the rally on behalf of Republika Srpska, Dodik said that they “support a strong Serbia under Vucic’s leadership”.

Pointing out that Serbia is not weak, Dodik said at the end of his speech, “Long live Serbia! Long live Republika Srpska! Long live Russia!”

Szijjarto also spoke in Serbian, saying that Serbia has a great president.

Pointing out that the Serbs and Hungarians are brotherly countries, Szijjarto said, “They attack us because we want peace in Ukraine and do not contribute to increasing the risks of escalation of the war. They attack us because we adhere to family values ​​and refuse to be dictated to us from outside.” Use his statements.

Armed attacks in Serbia

At Vladislav Ribnikar Primary School in Belgrade, 14-year-old KK opened fire on security guards and students on 3 May. The attack killed 10 people, including 9 children, a security guard, and wounded 6 people, including 5 children and a teacher.

He stated that the 14-year-old boy had been planning the attack for a month and had a list of the students he had attacked and a school plan.

After the attack, two police officers were assigned to every school across Serbia.

Two days after the attack on the school in the capital, the 21-year-old UB attacker indiscriminately shot from a car in the village of Dobona in Mladenvac with an automatic rifle and killed 8 people.

He declared national mourning after two armed attacks in Serbia that killed 18 people.

– Clashes between Kosovo Serbs and security forces

Today there was a clash between Kosovo Serbs and the security forces, who opposed the appointment of police in the municipalities of Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok, where mostly Serbs live in northern Kosovo.

Local media reported that Kosovo Serbs, who opposed the deployment of the Kosovo Police in front of the Zvecan Municipality, set fire to two police vehicles, while the police intervened with grenades and tear gas.

The statement issued by the Kosovo Police said that security forces were tasked with assisting mayors who began their duties by winning the local elections held on April 23 in the respective municipalities, to enter official buildings.

The events that began as a result of Kosovo Serbs gathering in front of the municipal buildings to object to the appointment of the police continued; It was alleged that the Serbs blocked the roads to northern Kosovo with barricades.

In the news broadcast by Radio Television Serbia (RTS) it was reported that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ordered the army to “get ready” and that the army personnel moved to Kosovo’s borders.

In the morning, it was reported that sirens were heard in the municipalities of Leposavić, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and North Mitrovica, where Kosovo Serbs live in abundance, after which Kosovo Serbs began to congregate in front of the municipality buildings anxiously.

Kosovo Serbs boycotted the elections

The mayors, who won the extraordinary local elections held on April 23 in the municipalities of Leposavic, Zvecan and Zubin Potok, where mostly Serbs live in northern Kosovo, were sworn in yesterday.

The swearing-in ceremony was held in public buildings in the villages where Albanians live in the area, rather than in town halls, in order to avoid potential tensions, because Kosovo Serbs do not recognize the election results.

In the local elections held on 23 April in 4 Serb-inhabited municipalities in northern Kosovo, the elections were won by candidates of Albanian political parties and Kosovo Serbs boycotted.

AA