Serbia Struggles With Coronavirus Uprising Against Autocratic President
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Serbia was facing broader civil unrest Wednesday as security forces struggled to contain angry crowds demanding the resignation of autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic.
Thousands gathered outside parliament in Belgrade for the second day of sometimes violent protests that injured dozens of people, including police and opposition leaders.
The rallies were prompted by the Vucic threat to reimpose a curfew this weekend in Belgrade to limit the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking at a video conference hosted by neighboring Hungary, Vucic admitted that he even thought of reimposing a lockdown for his whole Balkan nation. “Seven days ago, I thought to impose a new lockdown again of an entire country because of a new wave of COVID-19 cases,” Vucic told his presidential counterparts.
“But you know if we would have done that, we would have no chances to survive economically,” he stressed at the same online gathering seen by Worthy News in Budapest.
“We need to take all precautionary measures, but we need to keep on working very hard just to protect our business community and our workers. That is why we need this [European] cooperation more than ever,” Vucic added.
NO MEDICAL SUPPORT
He expressed disappointment that “initially no medical support came from the EU” at the start of the pandemic because Serbia was not yet a member of the European Union.
Amid pressure from demonstrators, he also decided not to introduce a weekend curfew but warned his government would discuss strict measures on Thursday.
That could include limiting open hopes of nightclubs and sanctions for people not wearing masks. “There are no free beds in our hospitals,” he warned.
His words did little to ease tensions in Belgrade where stones-and-fireworks- throwing demonstrators clashed with riot police, some on horseback and in armored vehicles.
Clashes were also reported in the northern Serbian town of Novi Sad.
MILOSEVIC-ERA
The violence resembled the era of late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s when clashes often erupted at anti-government protests.
Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin called the latest protests an attempt ”to provoke a civil war” in Serbia and to “humiliate and destroy the Serbian state.”
“Fascists and bullies want to take over power without elections,” Vulin told pro-government TV channel Pink.
Opponents blame the autocratic Vucic for contributing to the spike in deaths and new cases after he lifted the previous lockdown measures.
They say he did that to cement his grip on power after Serbia’s June 21 parliamentary election. He has denied those accusations.
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