Novi Sad, Serbia
Reuters
–
Serbian police on Friday disbanded protesters who used tear gas and stan-hand rena bullets on Novi Sad’s university campus to disperse a snap vote, hoping to drive away President Alexander Wykic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Thousands gathered on the state campus on Friday evening. They read, “We don’t want lockdown, we don’t want elections” and “There’s one urgent need for students: call elections.”
The crowd cried out “Vucic Leave.”
The protesters were washed away with the police in front of philosophy teachers and threw flares, but the police used tear gas and stan’s rena bullets to push the crowd away.
Months of protests across Serbia, including the state university’s lockdown, were caused by 16 deaths last November when the roof of a renovated railway station collapsed, rattling Vucic and his social media party.
The protest was primarily at peace until August 13th, when dozens of police and civilians were injured in the clash.
Protesters are calling for an early election in the hopes of banishing Vucic and expelling his party.
Students, opposition groups and anti-corruption watchdogs have condemned VUCIC and his allies for linking them to organized crime, using violence against political rivals, and suppressing media freedom.
“The solution is to call an election,” said Nebosa Kolak, one of the protesters.
“On our part, we want peace and democracy to win and political institutions to do their job. That means calling elections, and that’s a solution as governments change.”
