Thousands of Serbs protest violence, after two shootings that left 17 dead

Several tens of thousands of people marched in Belgrade on Monday evening, May 8, to demand the resignations of political leaders. The rally was organized after two shootings, including one at a school, left 17 people dead in less than 48 hours. The demonstrators gathered in front of the Parliament, with the call of several opposition parties of left and right, behind the slogan “Serbia against violence”.

These parties demand “the immediate cessation of the promotion of violence in the media and in the public space”, as well as the departure of the Minister of the Interior and the head of the intelligence services. Both are accused of inaction in the face of violence. They also call on President Aleksandar Vucic to resign.

The opposition also wants reality TV programs that make “the promotion of violence, immorality and aggressiveness” and the closure of pro-government newspapers, accused of disseminating “fake news” with the aim of harming political opponents. Several ruling Conservative party officials have accused the opposition of “politicize” the two killings to attack the head of state and the government. After these shootings, Aleksandar Vucic promised to launch a large-scale disarmament plan. According to the Small Arms Survey (SAS) research project, 39% of people in Serbia own a firearm, the highest rate in Europe.