violent demonstrations after the legislative elections, Russia accuses the West

For several days, violent demonstrations have shaken Serbia. The opposition contests the result of the legislative elections. On Sunday in Belgrade, around thirty demonstrators were arrested and two police officers “seriously injured”, according to nationalist president Aleksandar Vucic. Russia accuses the West of “destabilization”.

“It is obvious that the collective West seeks to destabilize the situation in Serbia.” Here are the words Monday, December 25 in the morning of a spokesperson for Russian diplomacy. For Moscow, there is no doubt: there must be foreign influence in the unrest that has shaken Belgrade, the Serbian capital, since the elections of December 17. A vote largely won by Aleksandar Vucic’s party, close to Russia. Stolen ballot, according to the opposition, which denounces fraud and vote buying.

Negotiations for accession to the European Union

Irregularities were also pointed out by international observers from the OSCE, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. On Sunday, demonstrators tried to break into Belgrade town hall. Riot police repelled the assault. The Serbian president, for his part, denies any irregularity. Aleksandar Vucic has been in a balancing act for several months, both close to Moscow but also eager to join the European Union. Serbia is officially a candidate, although accession negotiations began almost ten years ago.