2017 Serbian protests
{{Short description|Political protests in Serbia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
|title= 2017 Serbian protests
|partof= 2017 Serbian presidential election
|image=2017 serbia protest symbol.svg
|image_size=245px
|caption=Symbol of 2017 Serbian protest against dictatorship depicting Aleksandar Vučić's hand gesture
|date=3 April – 31 May 2017
|place= Serbia
|coordinates=
|causes=* Accusations of electoral fraud
|goals=*Removal of Vučić and Maja Gojković
- Freedom of the media
- Removal of party people from public service companies and administration
- Improvements on labor rights
|methods=Demonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance
|result= Protests failed
|side1=Anti-government protesters;
- "Against Dictatorship" civic movement
- Civilian and student protesters
|side2=President of Serbia
Government of Serbia
|leadfigures1=Unknown
|leadfigures2= Aleksandar Vučić
|howmany1= up to 20,000 in Belgrade,{{cite web|title=In Serbia, tens of thousands of people protesting against the President of Serbia|url=https://the-newspapers.com/2017/04/08/in-serbia-tens-of-thousands-of-people-protesting-against-the-president-of-serbia|website=The Newspapers|accessdate=9 April 2017|date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410214021/https://the-newspapers.com/2017/04/08/in-serbia-tens-of-thousands-of-people-protesting-against-the-president-of-serbia|archive-date=2017-04-10|url-status=dead}}
10,000+ in Novi Sad{{cite web|title= Ево колико времена "Против диктатуре" дају Вучићу да испуни захтеве (In Serbian)|url=http://pravda.rs/2017/04/09/protiv-diktature-sve-veci-broj-demonstaranata-u-novom-sadu-10000-ljudi-video-uzivo|website=Pravda|accessdate=10 April 2017|date=10 April 2017}} 3,000+ in Niš{{cite web|title= Nekoliko hiljada Nislija na protestu(In Serbian)|url=https://www.juznevesti.com/Drushtvo/Vise-od-1-000-Nislija-na-protestu-protiv-Vucica.sr.html|website=Juznevesti|accessdate=30 April 2017|date=30 April 2017}}
|howmany2= Unknown
|casualties1=
|casualties2=
|injuries=
|fatalities=
|arrests=
|casualties_label=
|notes=
}}
The 2017 Serbian protests against perceived dictatorship were ongoing mass protests organized across Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and other cities and towns in Serbia, against Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, as a result of the presidential election. The election was marred by accusations of voter intimidation and a near total domination of Serbia's media by Vučić and his populist conservative Serbian Progressive Party.{{cite news|title=A Serbian Election Erodes Democracy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/09/opinion/a-serbian-election-erodes-democracy.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|accessdate=9 April 2017|date=9 April 2017}} The protests started on 3 April and thousands of people had been gathering on the streets of Serbia's cities on a daily basis. They informed themselves via official Facebook protest pages.
Protests
The leading participants were university students, however on Saturday, 8 November, they were joined by the police syndicate, the army syndicate, taxi drivers, lawyers, postal office workers and other organizations who are protesting against the president-elect's authoritarian regime.
Protests erupted on 3 April when Nemanja Milosavljević, member of the hip hop group Middle Finger Kru under the stage name German, posted an event called Protest Against Dictatorship 2017 saying "Sloba also won an election, remember that", referring to the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević.{{cite web|title=KO STOJI IZA PROTESTA KOJI DRMAJU BEOGRAD? Da li je u pitanju ovaj MLADI dečko? (FOTO) (VIDEO)|url=http://www.espreso.rs/vesti/beograd/134405/ko-stoji-iza-protesta-koji-drmaju-beograd-da-li-je-u-pitanju-ovaj-mladi-decko-foto-video/strana/2|website=espreso.rs|publisher=espreso.rs|accessdate=28 January 2018}} On the first day, media reported up to 10.000 participants. Popular chants included "Vučić, you fag" and "Av av av" (Vučić's initials, also represents a barking sound).{{cite web|last1=P.|first1=A.|last2=M.|first2=Z.|title=Više od 10.000 mladih protestuje protiv diktature|url=http://www.danas.rs/drustvo.55.html?news_id=342754&title=Protesti+organizovani+preko+dru%C5%A1tvenih+mre%C5%BEa|website=danas.rs|publisher=Danas|accessdate=28 January 2018}} A group of protesters threw eggs at the National Assembly building and a makeshift wall displaying victims of the Kosovo War called the Serbian Wailing Wall was severely damaged causing public outrage.{{cite web|title=Sramota: Pijani demonstranti uništili "Srpski zid plača" ispred Skupštine (FOTO) (VIDEO)|url=http://www.telegraf.rs/vesti/beograd/2705924-sramota-pijani-demonstranti-unistili-srpski-zid-placa-ispred-skupstine-foto-video|website=telegraf.rs|publisher=Telegraf.rs|accessdate=28 January 2018}}
During the 8 April protest, according to president of the Army union, there were more than 80.000 people in Belgrade walking against dictatorship.{{cite web|url=http://www.kurir.rs/vesti/politika/novica-antic-na-protestu-u-beogradu-je-bilo-vise-od-80000-ljudi-clanak-2775051 |title=NOVICA ANTIĆ: Na protestu u Beogradu je bilo više od 80.000 ljudi |publisher=Kurir.rs |date=2017-05-19 |accessdate=2020-05-15}} A set of demands have been presented to endorse a democratization of the country, including measures to limit and oversee the President-elect's firm control.{{cite news |last1=Da Silva |first1=Chantal |author-link=Chantal Da Silva |date=8 April 2017 |title=Serbian protesters accuse media of turning blind eye, as anti-corruption rallies continue |website=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/serbia-protests-media-aleksandar-vucic-prime-minister-police-a7673532.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |accessdate=9 April 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/serbia-protests-media-aleksandar-vucic-prime-minister-police-a7673532.html |archive-date=1 May 2022}}{{cbignore}} Protestors also demand independent monitoring and a new assessment of the recent presidential election, with responsibility to be shouldered by "those responsible for any irregular campaign, as well for [any] irregularities during voting and counting." They also called for all "corrupt public officials" to quit, and for all media editors not respecting the press code to be held accountable.{{cite web | title=Serbia Protests: Thousands Demand Vucic’s Resignation | website=Balkan Insight | date=2017-04-10 | url=https://balkaninsight.com/2017/04/10/new-anti-govt-protests-starting-in-serbia-04-10-2017/ | access-date=2020-05-15}}
File:Serbiaprotest.jpg's quote, referring to Aleksandar Vučić's absolute power]]
On 11 April, protests were joined by the NKPJ and left-wing union "Sloga". They protested against the "bad situation of worker class" and expulsion of their members from one Kruševac factory.{{cn|date=August 2024}}
The largest protest so far was on 12 April. The protesters have called for a break due to the Easter in the demonstrations; the deadline for their ultimatum to the government was 17 April. Since their demands were not fulfilled, the demonstrations are continued after the Easter holidays.{{cite web|url=http://mondo.rs/a999209/Info/Srbija/Beograd-Protest-10.-dan.html |title=Uskršnja pauza u protestima do 18. aprila | Mondo Portal |publisher=Mondo.rs |accessdate=2020-05-15}} The media reported that there is a possibility of protest radicalization by blocking the major city streets, bridges and universities.{{cite web|author=15. aprila 2017. 12.00 |url=http://www.danas.rs/politika.56.html?news_id=343622&title=Mogu%C4%87e+blokade+saobra%C4%87ajnica%2C+fakulteta%2C+mostova |title=Moguće blokade saobraćajnica, fakulteta, mostova... - Politika - Dnevni list Danas |publisher=Danas.rs |date=2020-03-21 |accessdate=2020-05-15}}
On 1 May, several thousand members of unions and left-wing parties, including New Communist Party of Yugoslavia, protested on International Workers' Day and supported the student protests. They protested against worker law and the International Monetary Fund, and for higher pay and better workers rights. In the meantime, the union "Sloga" also protested in Kruševac.{{cite web|author=01. maja 2017. 23.44 Izmenjeno: 16. januara 2018. 10.49 |url=http://www.danas.rs/ekonomija.4.html?news_id=344812&title=+Radnici+MMF-u+slo%c5%beno+rekli+odlazi |title=Radnici MMF-u složno rekli odlazi - Ekonomija - Dnevni list Danas |publisher=Danas.rs |date=2020-03-21 |accessdate=2020-05-15}}
On 31 May, the day of Vučić inauguration, there was opposition protest, as well the pro-government rally. There were large number of incidents on government rally, including attacks on journalists and anti-government protesters by SNS supporters and, so called, party parapolice members.{{cite web|author=31. maja 2017. 16.09 |url=http://www.danas.rs/drustvo.55.html?news_id=347267&title=Napadnuto+vi%c5%a1e+novinara+(VIDEO) |title=Napadnuto više novinara (VIDEO) - Društvo - Dnevni list Danas |publisher=Danas.rs |date=2020-03-21 |accessdate=2020-05-15}} On opposition protest were few thousand people from Belgrade, and on government rally was 10 000 people from entire Serbia.{{cite web|url=http://www.blic.rs/vesti/beograd/zatvoren-centar-grada-bez-saobracaja-od-pravnog-fakulteta-do-terazijskog-tunela/pq2224y |title=ZATVOREN CENTAR GRADA Bez saobraćaja od Pravnog fakulteta do Terazijskog tunela, uskoro NOVE BLOKADE |publisher=Blic.rs |accessdate=2020-05-15}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.blic.rs/vesti/beograd/zavrsen-kontramiting-nekoliko-hiljada-gradana-prosetalo-uz-opoziciju-zabelezen-i/ct4p1l4 |title = ZAVRŠEN KONTRAMITING Nekoliko hiljada građana prošetalo uz opoziciju, zabeležen i jedan incident |access-date=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603151251/http://www.blic.rs/vesti/beograd/zavrsen-kontramiting-nekoliko-hiljada-gradana-prosetalo-uz-opoziciju-zabelezen-i/ct4p1l4 |archive-date=3 June 2017 |url-status=dead }}
Organization
Protests were held without formal organization and leadership. Anyone could participate in deciding and voting via a Facebook group concerning next steps of protests. Walking routes were posted on the Facebook page and discussed on the spot. Due to a decline in number of people walking and "loss of meaning", group of protesters in Belgrade made a separate faction called "With Culture Against Dictatorship" which will continue in protesting.{{cite web | author=Insajder | title=Podele u studentskom protestu: Grupa "Kulturom protiv diktature" pokreće svoje akcije | website=Insajder | date=2020-05-15 | url=//insajder.net/sr/sajt/tema/4445/ | language=hr | access-date=2020-05-15}} Another fraction called "Seven Demands" has been formed. An informal group of students
dissatisfied with protesters who expressed a will to cooperate with the opposition in achieving the protest goals broke out of main group. They stated their will to pursue action for "Seven Demands" but without implications for political parties and politicians.{{cite web | author=Insajder | title=Grupa "Sedam zahteva" na protestima će zahtevati smenu politike, ne samo političke elite | website=Insajder | date=2020-05-15 | url=//insajder.net/sr/sajt/vazno/4459/ | language=hr | access-date=2020-05-15}} In early May, a faction "Against Dictatorship" announced via their official Facebook page that they would protest once a week instead of every day.{{cite web |url=http://rs.n1info.com/a247086/Vesti/Vesti/Protest-Protiv-diktature-jednom-do-dva-puta-nedeljno.html |title=Protest "Protiv diktature" jednom do dva puta nedeljno | N1 Srbija |publisher=Rs.n1info.com |accessdate=2020-05-15 |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506195802/http://rs.n1info.com/a247086/Vesti/Vesti/Protest-Protiv-diktature-jednom-do-dva-puta-nedeljno.html |url-status=dead }}
Protests in Niš
Protests broke out on 3 April.{{cite web | author= satelit | title=Одржан протест и у Нишу, народ најављује да не одустаје, протести се настављају и сутра | website=Србија Данас | date=2017-04-03 | url=https://www.srbijadanas.net/odrzan-protest-i-u-nisu-narod-najavljuje-da-ne-odustaje-protesti-se-nastavljaju-i-sutra/ | language=sr | access-date=2020-05-15}} A few thousand protesters spontaneously gathered at Trg Kralja Milana to support the Belgrade protest which had been held earlier that day. On 5 April, at National Theatre in Niš, plato protesters announced a set of demands,{{cite web|url=https://www.juznevesti.com/Drushtvo/Nekoliko-hiljada-Nislija-ponovo-na-ulicama-sada-sa-konkretnim-zahtevima.sr.html |title=Nekoliko hiljada Nišlija ponovo na ulicama, sada sa konkretnim zahtevima : Društvo : Južne vesti |publisher=Juznevesti.com |accessdate=2020-05-15}} the same as those in Belgrade. On the same day, protesters had been throwing eggs at a billboard from Aleksandar Vučić's presidential election campaign. On 13 April, protesters set local demands including stronger budgetary control of institutions, introduction of participatory budgeting at the municipal level, criminal prosecution of corrupt judicial officials, fiscal transparency, and stopping nepotism.{{cite web|url=https://www.juznevesti.com/Drushtvo/Niski-demonstranti-izneli-nove-lokalne-zahteve-pauza-za-vikend.sr.html |title=Niški demonstranti izneli nove lokalne zahteve, pauza za vikend : Društvo : Južne vesti |publisher=Juznevesti.com |accessdate=2020-05-15}} On 17 April, protesters began funny chants towards the controversial{{cite web|url=https://www.juznevesti.com/Politika/Dveri-Preispitati-Bulatovicevu-penziju.sr.html |title=Dveri: Preispitati Bulatovićevu penziju : Politika : Južne vesti |publisher=Juznevesti.com |accessdate=2020-05-15}} disability pension of city major Darko Bulatović.{{cite web|url=https://www.juznevesti.com/Drushtvo/Na-protestu-protiv-diktature-postavili-pitanje-gradonacelniku-Nisa.sr.html |title=Na protestu "protiv diktature" postavili pitanje gradonačelniku Niša : Društvo : Južne vesti |publisher=Juznevesti.com |accessdate=2020-05-15}} On 18 April, protesters organized a performance by giving away fake PhD degrees to citizens,{{cite web |author=u 13:11 |url=http://www.radiocity.rs/izbori-2017/6680/gomila-%E2%80%9Cdoktora-naprednih-nauka%E2%80%9C-nakon-protesta-u-nisu.html |title=City :: Izbori 2017 :: Gomila "doktora naprednih nauka" nakon protesta u Nišu |publisher=Radiocity.rs |accessdate=2020-05-15 |archive-date=2 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502111605/http://radiocity.rs/izbori-2017/6680/gomila-%E2%80%9Cdoktora-naprednih-nauka%E2%80%9C-nakon-protesta-u-nisu.html |url-status=dead }} referring to plagiarism affairs involving public officials in Serbia.{{cite web | title=Velike tajne Malog majstora – Ili kako je Siniša Mali ukrao doktorat - Raša Karapandža | website=Peščanik | date=2014-07-09 | url=https://pescanik.net/velike-tajne-malog-majstora-ili-kako-je-sinisa-mali-ukrao-doktorat/ | language=hr | access-date=2020-05-15}}{{cite web | title=Kako do doktorata? Lako! Slučaj ministra Stefanovića - Grupa autora | website=Peščanik | date=2014-06-01 | url=https://pescanik.net/kako-do-doktorata-lako-slucaj-ministra-stefanovica/ | language=hr | access-date=2020-05-15}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.dw.com/en/young-serbians-protest-vucic-victory/a-38315174 Young Serbians protest Vucic victory]
- [http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2017&mm=04&dd=04&nav_id=100933 Vucic reacts to protests: It's okay as long as it's peaceful]
- [https://www.facebook.com/events/416285402064449/ Facebook group that initialed the mass demonstrations]
- [https://www.facebook.com/protestprotivdiktaturenis/ Official Against dictatorship page from Niš]
- [https://www.facebook.com/protivdiktature/ Official Against dictatorship page from Belgrade]
- [https://www.facebook.com/ProtivDiktatureNS/ Official Against dictatorship page from Novi Sad]
{{Environmental and antigovernment protests in Serbia (2016–present)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Serbian protests, 2017}}