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It’s all about this

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Serbia last weekend. They are protesting against President Aleksander Vucic and other members of his government. According to the Reuters news agency, the demonstrations are mainly aimed at Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and the head of the Serbian security service – all of whom are being asked to resign.

The deadly incidents in early May

Protesters have long viewed gun misuse in Serbia as a major problem, and the country as a whole is dominated by a culture of violence. But it wasn’t until two incidents at the beginning of the month that the camel’s back broke and people took to the streets. On May 3, a 13-year-old teenager attacked a school with guns. He kills nine students and a security guard. And just a day later, there was a second devastating incident outside Belgrade when a 21-year-old killed eight students.

Who and what is behind the protests?

The Serbian opposition is one of the people behind the protests. The meetings were organized by various parties that are not part of the government. The main accusation against the country’s leadership is that it has not taken action against the culture of violence and criminal elements that promote violence in the country.

Violence in Serbia is also firmly anchored in the media. Recently, Serbian reality TV shows have caused a stir and criticism, in which convicted criminals have been staged. Violence against women also featured in the programs.

The response of the Vucic government

The government around President Aleksander Vucic rejects the allegations. They accuse the opposition of organizing the demonstrations for political reasons and of exploiting the mood of the population after the school shootings. For example, during a performance in a city near Belgrade, Vucic said that the opposition’s only concern is self-promotion. “Serbia is tired of your revolutions,” Vucic told political opponents.

The Serbian president also caused a stir in the aftermath of the shootings by saying he had proposed to the government to reintroduce the death penalty. And he explained that he sees the influence of “Western values” as the cause of the school shootings, among other things.

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