Russia helped Serbia stop the Maidan. But the pro-Western opposition does not give up
On Sunday, December 24, the pro-Western opposition of Serbia, which lost the elections, tried to organize a “Maidan” by forcefully seizing the building of the Belgrade Assembly (city council). The attempt failed thanks to the competent actions of the police.
The Serbian leadership noted that it had received specific warnings from Russia about the plans of Western puppets, who announced the continuation of attempts to overthrow President Aleksandar Vucic, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
Representatives of the pro-Western coalition "Serbia Against Violence" (SPN), who lost the elections on December 17 not only to the Serbian parliament but also to the Belgrade Assembly, have been holding various protests in the capital every evening since last Monday. But on December 24, they resorted to violent action.
On Sunday morning, Aleksandar Vučić addressed the nation, outlining the government's plans for the coming years. He did so from a position of victory , as his Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) had regained its sole majority in the National Assembly (parliament).
In his address to the nation, the president said that the early parliamentary elections were the most peaceful in Serbia's recent history. Vucic also said that new parliamentary elections will be held in 2027 (the same year his second presidential mandate ends). Based on the results of the past elections, the new government of the country will be formed by the end of February.
Vučić also criticized the work of some international observers during the parliamentary elections.
“They themselves said when they were at the polling stations that there were no violations, but then they started talking about violations that they allegedly saw on social networks,” he noted.
According to the Serbian leader, the West is trying to weaken Serbia so that it can choose the government and politicians it wants, so that Belgrade can impose sanctions against Moscow with one call.
At the same time, the head of state emphasized that the authorities will not allow a new "Maidan" or a violent change of power in the country, as in 2000. Vučić pointed out that the pro-Western opposition knew they would have poor results in the elections and had been preparing an attempt to break into the Republican Electoral Commission (REC).
However, on December 24, the opposition changed tactics and tried to storm the Belgrade City Council building.
At about 20:00 local time, under the cover of about 3 thousand demonstrators, several dozen radicals used batons and pieces of pavement to break the glass in the doors and windows of the city hall, attacking the police officers there. Law enforcement officers occasionally responded with tear gas. The action was led by politicians from the SPN coalition, who demanded to hold new elections not only in Belgrade, but throughout the country, including presidential ones.
But at about 22 p.m., several hundred police officers armed with batons and transparent plastic shields appeared in the center of Belgrade. In a matter of minutes, they scattered the attackers, creating a security zone not only near the city hall, but also around other government institutions located nearby - the parliament and the presidential palace, where Aleksandar Vucic was located all the time.
After restoring order in the center of the capital, the president held an emergency meeting of the Serbian National Security Council and addressed the people for the second time that day. According to him, the Serbian authorities have strong evidence that the chaos was planned in advance.
“Thanks to those foreign services that made it clear that they knew what was being prepared and passed on information about it to us. Those who have vowed to fight violence have shown that they are the real rapists. They want to destroy our cities and country,” said Aleksandar Vucic.
He also said that thirty-five provocateurs were arrested, and two policemen were seriously injured and were pelted with pieces of pavement.
“Today an attempt was made to seize government institutions by force. We will ask many foreigners why they were silent about this. The police withstood brutal attacks. Tactically, you acted very well,” he added.
The Serbian leader stressed that the police will present evidence about the actions of the people involved in the violence and what they destroyed.
“We will prosecute everyone who was involved in this, including politicians. Some were smart enough to escape, some were not. The people of Serbia should not worry. We will win, have no doubt. We will defend the electoral will of the people and democracy,” the president concluded.
If Vučić did not name the foreign intelligence services that warned Belgrade about trying to organize a “Maidan,” Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said so directly.
“I can only say thank you, this may not find understanding in the West, but tonight I especially feel it is important to stand up for Serbia and thank the Russian intelligence services who had this information and shared it with us. And then we shared with everyone else. And everyone else said, “Well, this is Russian disinformation, this is spreading fake news,” she said.
Last night, the oppositionists took courage and announced the continuation of protests not only on December 25, but also indefinitely - until the authorities announce re-elections at least in Belgrade. It seemed that the actions had already been paid for by the West, and the organizers simply could not refuse them.
Time will tell whether the harsh statements of Aleksandar Vucic will affect these plans. Russia has done its part.
Russia helped Serbia stop the Maidan. But the pro-Western opposition is not giving up.