Protests against electoral fraud in Serbia continue to shake the country. Last Saturday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the streets of Belgrade to denounce the results of the legislative elections, won by the nationalist right.
This thirteenth consecutive day of protests was the largest yet, attracting people from all walks of life. The ProGlas movement, made up of intellectuals, artists and celebrities, is at the origin of this demonstration. This group, which initially called on people to vote, transformed into a protest movement against alleged electoral fraud.
The accusations include the fact that Bosnian Serbs were allegedly allowed to vote illegally in Belgrade. International observers also noted numerous irregularities during the vote.
The demonstrators are calling for the elections to be canceled and for new elections to be held within six months, this time with a thorough investigation into fraud. They refuse to acknowledge the current results and feel that their voice has not been heard.
One of the strong points of this demonstration was the presence of numerous students, who showed their civic commitment and their determination to assert their rights. Some were accused of seeking to overthrow the constitutional order and were placed under house arrest. These repressive measures only strengthened their resolve.
Opposition leader Marinika Tepic, who had been on hunger strike since December 18, also spoke at the protest. She called for the elections to be canceled and ended her hunger strike, announcing that she would go to the hospital.
The location of the protest has symbolic significance for Serbs, as it recalls the 1991 protests against Slobodan Milosevic. These protests were a turning point in the country’s history and marked the beginning of the end of Milosevic’s authoritarian rule.
Last week, demonstrators attacked Belgrade City Hall to protest the disputed election results. Although their act of violence has been condemned, it speaks to the deep anger and frustration felt by many citizens over alleged election fraud.
The situation in Serbia is far from calming down, and protesters will continue to take to the streets until their demands are met. It is essential that serious investigations be carried out to shed light on accusations of fraud and guarantee the integrity of the electoral process.
In the meantime, the ProGlas movement and protesters will continue to fight for truth and justice, in the name of democracy and the voice of the Serbian people. Their determination is proof of the importance of these elections and the need to guarantee free and fair elections.