Protests in Belgrade
On Thursday, protests took place in three Belgrade municipalities where the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has control. The demonstrations were held in Rakovica, Palilu, and Cukarica.
People gathered before the municipal assembly sessions to voice their concerns. In Palilula, protesters wanted to attend the session but were met with a large police presence. They also took a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the Novi Sad Railway Station disaster.
In Cukarica, private security guards blocked people from entering the building where the assembly was taking place. Reporters said tensions ran high. An opposition councilor stated that these guards were demanding identification from people just trying to use administrative services.
In Rakovica, the ruling party voted against allowing the public to attend the session. This decision sparked a strong reaction from the opposition. They claimed it was for “security reasons”. A councilor from the Green-Left Front, Milos Injac, was even thrown out of the assembly hall.