Protest in Serbia

Thousands of people have rallied for the third consecutive day in Serbia, protesting against Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic being elected the country's next president. Crowds on Wednesday marched through the capital Belgrade and other cities, blowing whistles and chanting slogans such as "Vucic, you stole the election" and "End the dictatorship".

Vucic, who will take office as president in late May, won Sunday's presidential election with a clear majority, garnering 55 percent of votes in the first round.

Aleksandar Vučić

Aleksandar Vučić is a Serbian lawyer and politician who has been the Prime Minister of Serbia since 27 April 2014. He is also the leader and president of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Vučić served as Minister of Information from 1998 to 2000 and later as Minister of Defence from 2012 to 2013, as well as First Deputy Prime Minister from 2012 to 2014.

Analysis

Protesters said they see Vucic as an autocrat and his Serbian Progressive Party as corrupt and instrumental in what they say was a fraudulent election.

Demands posted online by one group of students included dismissing the election commission, the media regulator and top editors of the state RTS TV for allegedly failing to facilitate a free and fair vote.

Students are demanding early parliamentary elections if their requests are not met.

Protesters are seeing Vucic as an autocrat and his Serbian Progressive Party as corrupt and instrumental in what they say was a fraudulent election.

Students who rally supporters through social networks, reject alliances with political parties. They instead invited trade unions to join in. Similar protests have been staged in several other towns throughout the EU candidate country.

Assessment

Although Vucic’s new post will be largely ceremonial, he is expected to maintain his grip on power through his Serbian Progressive Party and to continue a balancing act between the West and Russia, a Orthodox Christian and Slavic ally. He is legitimate president and protestor's narrative that he is dictator and that he cheated should doesn’t seem to be evidence based. The PM should be given a chance to prove himself.