Violence in Belgrade, clashes with the police, bloody heads ended in the world media

It appear the majority of the protesters did not wear masks.

Of course such protests will attract the far right but make no mistake, Vucic's control of the media in Serbia does not allow the opposition (left, right or centre) to have a real voice on issues of national importance. Vucic is a manipulator of the press and media (a task we know well from his rôle in the Milosevic regime) and by effectively silencing the opposition he is forcing them onto the streets. Storming parliament is not the solution, neither is the violence shown by both protestors and the police. What is needed is a democratic round table where the government and opposition work together to fight the country's problems. As to the increased coronavirus infection rate in Serbia; Serbs have only themselves to blame by not following containment regulations. One only has to follow the world press reports of the Red Star - Partizan game or the Adria Tour to see how badly some of the populace follows the generally accepted rules. And, unfortunately, the demonstrations in Belgrade were no exception.

Does it not seem somewhat ironic to anyone else that the thousands of protestors in central Belgrade, none of which were social distancing and very few of which were wearing masks, should be complaining about the government causing the covid situation to become worse? I am certainly not saying the government has handled to pandemic situation particularly well but surely if you are going to criticise the government and authorities then you should, at the very least, adhere to some sensible and preventitive measures yourself. If you don't, aren't you just massively increasing the risk of increasing the numbers of infected? It seems to me that bthe huge crowds of protestors are making the problem that they are protesting against even worse. They are not, it would seem, part of the solution, rather a potentially big part of the problem. Let me be very clear here, I do not make these comments with any political intent, I am just commenting on what I see. I would be very interested to see what others think of this.

@Thomas
I feel you are doing exactly what are you accusing Mr Vucic. Trying to control peoples decision here on b92.
Tribal? We all come from the same neck of a woods. Generally with a few skilled, good writers.
I happened to think Mr Vucic and his team are doing a fantastic job.
Things are happening in Serbia.
Demonstrators are the criminals.
Police duty is to maintain law and order. Protect gov. Property and private.
In the UK organises of demonstration must have a written permission to hold demos.
I support Mr Vucic I wish he was President 10 yrs ago.
Leave us to decide on our own what we like or not.
We certainly do not each other to decide whom to give plus or the minus.
I am Serbian as well as British and feel its my duty to support my people, choosen government.

And at the same way Ljubodragu Dtijadinovic people of rep Serbia wish he goes down. Court, long term prison for the treason".
Trying to bring down this government, this country.
Yes, exactly stojadi
novic who?
Little fish.

@thomas

I live in the UK and rep Serbia.
Like yourself I emsil Mr Vucic when I have to.
And I will emsil him upon his return from Paris.
To give him an idea.
Like in the UK all organisers of demonstration must
APPLY FOR THE PERMISSION AND BE ESCORTED BY THE POLICE.
SO THE GOVERNMENT WILL KNOW WHO IS ANSWERABLE.
Now every "olos" demonstrate, every criminal. And if they are "little politicians" a kitchen utensil bangers they act above the law. US embassy in BG thinks like I do, they seen like I do, it's the Serbian Police who are the victims.
I wish you a good stay in rep. Serbia. But
there is no one better than Mr Vucic at this given time.
I see only Mr Dacic as his successor.
The rest are, you can see who, what they are.
Not capable being in charge of my cat Delilah. Let alone Serbia.

Blah blah blah.....i hate the media. The world this and the world that....the only truth in this world is that every person gets up and smells their own shit day after miserable day

@(Tony (a Brit seconded to Berlin), 8 July 2020 15:47)

Tony,

Your post was well written and exactly right.

It's sad how many people gave it a negative mark. People are so tribal here that if they see something negative about their team they immediately hate it and dismiss it, imstead of digesting what the poster is saying.

I really don't know how anyone can argue with the content of your post. And the ones who gave it negative votes can't either. All they know how to do is click a button.

This country deserves everything that happens to it. They overwhelmingly voted these people into power. Vucic, had the world not changed, would have been more than happy to rule over you as an appointed leader by some politbureau. He is a chameleon who adjusts with the times.

And most of their support is driven out of a spoils system. Keep us in power and you and/or your family will keep some government job(s). Show up at rallies, fill the buses, because the party hacks will be taking names.

@British
I don't think I have that kind of pull here on B92/English. Hard to sway anything when it usualy takes 24 to 48 hours for your post to publish. And by then the news story it is attached to is on the second page.

I fully agree with you about law and order and protecting property, both private and public. I am all for it, here, in the US, or in the UK. Arrest them, prosecute them, and if convicted lock them up for a long time.

You say you are British and Serbian, I assume one is by choice and the other is by birth. Do you live in Serbia or the UK? I was born and raised in America and gave up my American citizenship. I have been here about 5 years.

You may like the macro results that Vucic achives, but it does come with a heavy hand on the media. Maybe you believe the end justifies the means. That's your prerogative.

I was just trying to say that the last poster was spot on with what he said, but I believe people gave him thumbs down just because he said something negative about their chosen leader. I still follow US politucs and am pro-Trump, but I am not afraid to call him out when I don't like some of his moves, and I do on other American political sites. So many people are blinded by their party affiliation here. It almost defines them. My opinion.

Of course such protests will attract the far right but make no mistake, Vucic's control of the media in Serbia does not allow the opposition (left, right or centre) to have a real voice on issues of national importance. Vucic is a manipulator of the press and media (a task we know well from his rôle in the Milosevic regime) and by effectively silencing the opposition he is forcing them onto the streets. Storming parliament is not the solution, neither is the violence shown by both protestors and the police. What is needed is a democratic round table where the government and opposition work together to fight the country's problems. As to the increased coronavirus infection rate in Serbia; Serbs have only themselves to blame by not following containment regulations. One only has to follow the world press reports of the Red Star - Partizan game or the Adria Tour to see how badly some of the populace follows the generally accepted rules. And, unfortunately, the demonstrations in Belgrade were no exception.

Does it not seem somewhat ironic to anyone else that the thousands of protestors in central Belgrade, none of which were social distancing and very few of which were wearing masks, should be complaining about the government causing the covid situation to become worse? I am certainly not saying the government has handled to pandemic situation particularly well but surely if you are going to criticise the government and authorities then you should, at the very least, adhere to some sensible and preventitive measures yourself. If you don't, aren't you just massively increasing the risk of increasing the numbers of infected? It seems to me that bthe huge crowds of protestors are making the problem that they are protesting against even worse. They are not, it would seem, part of the solution, rather a potentially big part of the problem. Let me be very clear here, I do not make these comments with any political intent, I am just commenting on what I see. I would be very interested to see what others think of this.

Blah blah blah.....i hate the media. The world this and the world that....the only truth in this world is that every person gets up and smells their own shit day after miserable day

@(Tony (a Brit seconded to Berlin), 8 July 2020 15:47)

Tony,

Your post was well written and exactly right.

It's sad how many people gave it a negative mark. People are so tribal here that if they see something negative about their team they immediately hate it and dismiss it, imstead of digesting what the poster is saying.

I really don't know how anyone can argue with the content of your post. And the ones who gave it negative votes can't either. All they know how to do is click a button.

This country deserves everything that happens to it. They overwhelmingly voted these people into power. Vucic, had the world not changed, would have been more than happy to rule over you as an appointed leader by some politbureau. He is a chameleon who adjusts with the times.

And most of their support is driven out of a spoils system. Keep us in power and you and/or your family will keep some government job(s). Show up at rallies, fill the buses, because the party hacks will be taking names.

@British
I don't think I have that kind of pull here on B92/English. Hard to sway anything when it usualy takes 24 to 48 hours for your post to publish. And by then the news story it is attached to is on the second page.

I fully agree with you about law and order and protecting property, both private and public. I am all for it, here, in the US, or in the UK. Arrest them, prosecute them, and if convicted lock them up for a long time.

You say you are British and Serbian, I assume one is by choice and the other is by birth. Do you live in Serbia or the UK? I was born and raised in America and gave up my American citizenship. I have been here about 5 years.

You may like the macro results that Vucic achives, but it does come with a heavy hand on the media. Maybe you believe the end justifies the means. That's your prerogative.

I was just trying to say that the last poster was spot on with what he said, but I believe people gave him thumbs down just because he said something negative about their chosen leader. I still follow US politucs and am pro-Trump, but I am not afraid to call him out when I don't like some of his moves, and I do on other American political sites. So many people are blinded by their party affiliation here. It almost defines them. My opinion.

It appear the majority of the protesters did not wear masks.

@Thomas
I feel you are doing exactly what are you accusing Mr Vucic. Trying to control peoples decision here on b92.
Tribal? We all come from the same neck of a woods. Generally with a few skilled, good writers.
I happened to think Mr Vucic and his team are doing a fantastic job.
Things are happening in Serbia.
Demonstrators are the criminals.
Police duty is to maintain law and order. Protect gov. Property and private.
In the UK organises of demonstration must have a written permission to hold demos.
I support Mr Vucic I wish he was President 10 yrs ago.
Leave us to decide on our own what we like or not.
We certainly do not each other to decide whom to give plus or the minus.
I am Serbian as well as British and feel its my duty to support my people, choosen government.

@thomas

I live in the UK and rep Serbia.
Like yourself I emsil Mr Vucic when I have to.
And I will emsil him upon his return from Paris.
To give him an idea.
Like in the UK all organisers of demonstration must
APPLY FOR THE PERMISSION AND BE ESCORTED BY THE POLICE.
SO THE GOVERNMENT WILL KNOW WHO IS ANSWERABLE.
Now every "olos" demonstrate, every criminal. And if they are "little politicians" a kitchen utensil bangers they act above the law. US embassy in BG thinks like I do, they seen like I do, it's the Serbian Police who are the victims.
I wish you a good stay in rep. Serbia. But
there is no one better than Mr Vucic at this given time.
I see only Mr Dacic as his successor.
The rest are, you can see who, what they are.
Not capable being in charge of my cat Delilah. Let alone Serbia.

And at the same way Ljubodragu Dtijadinovic people of rep Serbia wish he goes down. Court, long term prison for the treason".
Trying to bring down this government, this country.
Yes, exactly stojadi
novic who?
Little fish.