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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic delivered a show of force on Friday (April 19th) against the opposition, which has been demonstrating for months against his power, bringing together tens of thousands of supporters in Belgrade.
The protesters have shown their support for the leader of Serbia since 2012 without his stranglehold on power ever being put in jeopardy. They came from all over Serbia, but also from Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.
A former political ally of Slobodan Milosevic and ultranationalist hawk, Vucic suddenly converted to center-right liberalism, which allowed him to gain power. His past is often recalled by those who denounce his authoritarianism.
According to the media close to the government, more than 100,000 people gathered in front of the parliament where the demonstration was being held. The independent media abstained from any estimate.
Senior Officials
The event was attended by top Serbian officials, including Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, and Serbian member of the Bosnian Collegiate Presidency Milorad Dodik, all of whom took the floor. . The head of the Hungarian diplomacy, Peter Szijjarto, was also present.
The protesters cheered Aleksandar Vucic before he spoke, loudly chanting " Aco (diminutive of Aleksandar, ed) the Serb ". " I will not say a word of my political opponents, I want to talk about the future, " the president told the crowd, thanking him for his support for " a decent, prosperous and successful Serbia " ". " You chose me to do what is hardest for Serbia to live, " he said.
Last week, the opposition demonstrated in the same place against the power of Vucic , demanding in particular honest elections and free media. Since December, thousands of Serbs descend every week in the streets of Belgrade and the main cities of the country.