Serbia: Police clash with protesters urging early elections
Key takeaways
- Officers fired teargas and stun grenades as tens of thousands rallied against President Aleksandar Vucic's government.
- The populist leader has been accused by critics of consolidating power and undermining democratic checks and balances.
- The protest movement erupted some 18 months ago after 16 people were killed when a newly-renovated roof collapsed at a major railway station, blamed on corruption and negligence.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Officers fired teargas and stun grenades as tens of thousands rallied against President Aleksandar Vucic's government. The demonstration went ahead despite the state rail operator canceling trains to and from Belgrade.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EEeo Officers in riot gear cordoned off Belgrade city hall, before clashes broke out Image: Armin Durgut/AP Photo/picture alliance Advertisement Clashes broke out between groups of demonstrators and police as a student-led movement returned to Serbia's capital Belgrade on Saturday, demanding an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year rule.
The populist leader has been accused by critics of consolidating power and undermining democratic checks and balances.