Serbians rally in support of leadership as anti-government protests continue

More than 50 cities and towns across Serbia saw demonstrations emerge in support of the country’s current leadership as a counter-movement to the months-long wave of protests.

President Aleksandar Vučić stated that these events are not directed against participants of the anti-government protests, but rather against the methods of expressing discontent, Caliber.Az reports citing Serbian media outlets.

“We never stand against the people, but we are against blockades and violence,” he stated, commenting on the months-long wave of protests that have  gripped the country.

According to the BBC, the wave of protests was initially triggered by a railway station collapse in Novi Sad in November last year that killed 16 people, with many blaming President Aleksandar Vučić's government for the disaster.

While demonstrations have drawn in hundreds of thousands of protestors, they had been largely peaceful until last week's clash, when pro-government loyalists staged counter-demonstrations. Offices and flags representing Vučić's SNS party had been a focus of the protesters' anger.

According to Vučić, demonstrators who block streets cover their faces because “they have nothing to offer” and “fear for their own safety.”

By Nazrin Sadigova