Tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets of Belgrade today, Friday, and held a demonstration under the slogan “World Serbia against violence.” This is the third demonstration march in two weeks organized by the Serbian opposition after two tragic mass shootings in early May that killed 19 people.

All opposition parties participate in demonstrations against violence, except for the nationalist, extreme right. The government rejected opposition demands for the resignation of the interior minister, the chief of intelligence, and the removal of national frequencies for two pro-government private TV channels broadcasting violence.

Organizers estimate that at least 200,000 people took part in today’s demonstration, and it is considered the largest since October 5, 2000, when the regime of Slobodan Milosevic was overthrown.. The pro-government media characterize the opposition’s speeches as “directed by foreign centers and foreign intelligence services.”

Simultaneously with the opposition demonstration in Belgrade, the ruling Serbian Progressive Party organized a counter-demonstration rally in the city of Pančevo, 20 kilometers north of Belgrade, where party leader and President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic spoke. It is noted that the ruling party is preparing a rally in Belgrade for May 26, which Aleksandar Vucic called “the largest ever organized in Serbia.”

Source: RES-IPE