On Sunday evening, December 24, a series of protests initiated by the conditionally pro-Western opposition bloc “Serbia Against Violence” continued in Belgrade. Supporters of the alliance blocked one of the central streets of the Serbian capital, demanding that the results of early elections held in the republic on December 17 be annulled and result in the victory of the ruling coalition led by Serbian Progressive Party Chairman Aleksandar Vucic. .
The demonstrations, which started with speeches by opposition politicians on the stage set up between the Belgrade election commission building and the president’s residence, turned into riots and clashes with the police, as well as an attempt to raid the parliament in the capital. (parliament). Approximately 2.5 thousand activists participated in the protests, and 35 people were detained on suspicion of inciting provocation.. Approximately 30 law enforcement officers were injured.
By evening, police managed to disperse the protest, including using tear gas. The protests led Vucic to urgently address the nation; During this speech, he ruled out the possibility of a coup in the republic, accused the opposition of preparing demonstrations in advance, and promised to prosecute those who provoked unrest. At the same time, the city authorities called the event “Maidanization”, and the Serbian government thanked the Russian special services for their warnings about the upcoming actions.
What they say in the Kremlin
The unrest in Serbia was viewed with concern in Russia. As Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian president, said, Moscow sees attempts by third powers, including abroad, to provoke unrest in Belgrade.
“There is domestic legislation, there are election bodies, and there are observers who do not record violations that would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections. Moreover, There are processes and initiatives of third powers, including from abroadHe incited similar riots in Belgrade. This is what we observe,” the Kremlin representative said.
According to Peskov, Russia does not doubt the Serbian leadership’s ability to ensure the rule of law in the state and considers the situation an internal matter of the republic. The press spokesman of the Russian President emphasized that Moscow will not intervene in the situation and is careful about its relations with Belgrade.
How does the State Duma assess the situation?
MPs interviewed by socialbites.ca agree that the Serbian opposition is unlikely to turn the situation in the republic to its advantage through protests. That is why Vitaly Milonov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Motherhood and Childhood Issues, is pleased that the demonstrations will open the eyes of Serbs to Vucic’s opponents.
“It’s funny that the so-called ‘Serbia against violence’ coalition (an alliance of feminists, abortionists and soya cuckolds) has come together against violence and tried to make it happen on its own. Being completely anti-democratic people, they believe that they must take everything by force if they cannot do otherwise.
“I am very glad that this (opposition protests) happened, because our Serbian brothers will once again see the true face of the European little mice who are trying to change everything in Serbia and sell their own country.”
He added that Serbia is a big country and Europeans should know that this is very difficult for them. Milonov suggested that European elites and “leftists” would now pour funds into the Serbian protest, but they were unlikely to succeed.
In contrast, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma International Relations Committee Alexei Chepa believes that “certain intelligence services” are organizing and supporting protests in Serbia and trying to “rock the boat.”
“This situation is not valid worldwide. Some relevant intelligence agencies are trying to rock the boat everywhere. Both in our country and around it, especially in states friendly to Russia. They are trying to change the situation in their own interests. I am sure that the Serbian brothers are strong, they see and know everything. Serbia understands who has protected them for centuries and is a true friend, including Yugoslavia. “They will do everything possible despite the provocations,” the deputy said.
What do they think in the Federation Council?
The Federation Council draws attention to the allegations that other states participated in the initiation of Serbian demonstrations. As Alexey Pushkov, Chairman of the Federation Council Commission on Information Policy and Interaction with the Media, told socialbites.ca, protests can be coordinated abroad.
“The actions could be the result of an electoral failure and an attempt to make up for it, or they could be initiated from abroad and used as a reminder to Vucic. “It means that the ‘Serbian Square’ threat is seen as a way to influence Serbian politics in Western capitals,” the senator said.
According to Pushkov, pro-Western forces in Serbia are ready to carry out all the instructions of the West, including the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, which is unacceptable for most Serbs, so it is difficult for them to succeed at the polls. He added that the situation in the republic had already been shaken once with the overthrow of President Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
“Since then, the situation in Serbia has changed, the Serbs are convinced of the same thing as Russia: pro-Western forces are weakening national identity and trying to subordinate the country to their own interests. And it is not possible to say that millions of people will take to the streets with the stroke of a magic wand,” the senator emphasized.
At the same time, Grigory Karasin, chairman of the international committee of the Federation Council, did not rule out that the protests in Serbia are related to the global situation as a whole. According to him now A tough struggle is ongoing, “it has the geopolitical character of a strategic conflict.”.
“It is not surprising that in a country, after the victory of one power, another immediately sponsors it to cast doubt on the election results. Looking for these levers is pretty simple; You can take the recent history of Ukraine or Georgia. Focus groups receive daily training from relevant centers in the West. Therefore the struggle will continue for a very long time; no one can guarantee quick results,” the senator explained.
According to Karasin, in Serbia’s case, any scenario is possible, including negative ones for the authorities. The senator expressed the view that we should hope to maintain the positions of the winning side, because this is in the interest of stability in Europe, especially in the Balkans.