Tensions rise in Belgrade as demonstrators call for fair elections

The demonstrations stemmed from allegations of unfairness and irregularities leveled by international observers and the opposition, casting a shadow over the results that saw the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) emerge victorious.

An international monitoring mission reported on Monday that the SNS had gained an unfair advantage due to media bias, the improper influence of President Aleksandar Vucic, and voting irregularities, including allegations of vote buying.

President Vucic insisted that the elections were conducted fairly despite the allegations.

During Sunday's protest, tension escalated as the crowd attempted to break into the Belgrade town hall, where the local election commission is based. In response, the police deployed pepper spray, and some protesters climbed the building, breaking windows. Objects, including stones, were thrown at windows, resulting in shattered glass.

Chants of "Vucic thief" echoed through the crowd.

In an official statement, the interior ministry urged protesters to "refrain from breaking into the town hall." President Vucic, in an address later in the evening, called for calm and stated, "By reacting calmly, we are trying not to hurt protesters."

The center-left opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, secured the second position in the elections with 23.56% of the vote, while the Socialist Party of Serbia came in third with 6.56%.

Srdjan Milivojevic and Vladimir Obradovic of the Serbia Against Violence coalition attempted to open the door of the town hall during the protest but were unsuccessful. The crowd urged them with chants of "get in, get in," and "no surrender."

By 10 p.m. (2100 GMT), the anti-riot police intervened, pushing protestors away from the town hall.

The situation remains volatile, with the opposition vowing to continue their fight for a fair electoral process. A member of Serbia Against Violence, Marinika Tepic, has been on a hunger strike since the elections, further amplifying the pressure on the authorities.

It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the mounting demands and whether new elections will be called. (ILKHA)