In a thrilling match, Serbia’s soccer team advances in the Europa League! The national sports scene is buzzing with excitement as Serbia’s top players showcase their skills on the international stage. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey to the top! #SerbiaSoccer #EuropaLeague #NationalSports
Serbian students have staged a daylong blockage of a major traffic intersection in Belgrade with the support of farmers, stepping up pressure on the president, Aleksandar Vučić.
The wave of student-led demonstrations began as a protest against government corruption after the collapse of a roof of a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad on 1 November, which killed 15 people.
Despite attacks on the protesters and limited government concessions, the near daily protests have grown and spread, affecting more than 100 cities and towns and drawing in increasing support from members of the judiciary, teachers, private businesses and the general public.
On Monday the demonstrators occupied the Autokomanda junction, where two major roads from the south-east converge on the way to Belgrade’s centre.
Thousands of Belgrade residents joined the protests along with some farmers who brought their tractors to the capital, some of which were used to protect the protesters, after two serious incidents of cars ramming the crowds of demonstrators.
The appearance of farmers and tractors was an echo of the mass protests and march on Belgrade that ultimately brought down the regime of Vučić’s predecessor Slobodan Milošević in 2000. Milošević’s fall, however, only came when key elements of the security forces turned against him.
After a record 100,000 people turned out to protest in Belgrade on 22 December, Vučić threatened them, saying Serbia’s special forces would “throw them around in 6-7 seconds”. But the threat drew widespread ridicule and he has so far not attempted to use the security forces to break up the protests.
The government has sought to meet some of the students’ demands, most importantly by declassifying some documents about the Novi Sad station canopy collapse, which happened soon after the station had been renovated by a Chinese-led consortium.
The protesters claim the collapse was caused by corruption and cutting corners in the construction work. Thirteen people have been charged over the disaster, including Serbia’s former transport minister Goran Vesić, who resigned days after the collapse.
The government released more relevant documents on Sunday but it is unclear whether it will be enough to defuse the demonstrations. The protest leaders are also demanding an end to prosecutions against demonstrators, the arrest and prosecution of those involved in attacks on the protesters, and increased funding for education.
Alida Vračić, a co-founder and the executive director of Populari, a thinktank focused on the western Balkans, said the tenacity of the demonstrations represented a serious challenge to Vučić, who has dominated Serbian politics since becoming prime minister in 2014.
“They could indeed be a threat because of their unique approach. These students surpass the usual opposition and bypass the standard playbook for dealing with ineffective governance. They don’t seek dialogue or compromise, they demand that institutions simply do their jobs,” Vračić said. “This straightforwardness is what stings the most and remains far beyond the grasp of the Serbian political toolbox.
“By rallying thousands around a unifying demand – justice – they’ve found a powerful and resonant message and mobilised thousands. In the Balkans, where injustice has been endured for far too long, their call for change feels urgent. It’s about time that changed and spilled over elsewhere.”
Edward Joseph, a former US diplomat at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, said it was possible the political tide was turning in Serbia.
“Teachers – and many other professions – followed the lead of students who have protested en masse since the 1 November train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad,” he wrote in a social media post. “Reportedly, even judges – prominent state employees – left the courthouses to support passing protesters … The fear factor is gone. Even in a degraded Balkans democracy, the people still have agency and can still demand accountability.”
Serbian students have taken to the streets once again to protest against President Aleksandar Vučić’s government. In a bold move, they have blocked a major road junction in Belgrade to increase pressure on Vučić and his administration.
The students are demanding greater transparency and accountability from the government, as well as more investment in education and opportunities for young people. They are also calling for an end to what they see as the erosion of democratic institutions and freedoms in Serbia.
The blockade has caused traffic chaos in the capital city, with long queues of vehicles unable to pass through the junction. Despite the inconvenience to commuters, the students are determined to make their voices heard and force the government to listen to their demands.
This latest protest comes on the heels of a series of demonstrations against Vučić’s government, which have been ongoing for several months. The students show no signs of backing down, and their determination to bring about change in Serbia is clear.
As the blockade continues, all eyes are on President Vučić and his response to the students’ demands. Will he listen to their concerns and take action to address them, or will he continue to ignore their calls for reform? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the students are not backing down anytime soon.
Serbia Protests: Thousands Take to the Streets in Belgrade
In a show of defiance against the government, thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Belgrade today to demand political change. The protests, which have been ongoing for weeks, are fueled by frustration over government corruption and the erosion of democratic institutions.
The demonstrators, led by opposition leaders and civil society groups, are calling for the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling party. They accuse the government of stifling dissent, suppressing media freedom, and failing to address the country’s economic woes.
Tensions have escalated in recent days, with clashes between police and protesters resulting in injuries and arrests. Despite the government’s efforts to crack down on the demonstrations, the protesters show no signs of backing down.
International observers have expressed concern over the situation in Serbia, urging both sides to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution. The protests have garnered widespread attention and support from around the world, as people stand in solidarity with the Serbian people in their fight for democracy and justice.
As the protests continue to escalate, the future of Serbia remains uncertain. Will the government listen to the voices of the people and enact meaningful reforms, or will the country descend further into political turmoil? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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Serbia is ‘uniquely positioned’ to host Trump-Putin talks, said Foreign Minister Marko Đurić said on Tuesday, adding that Donald Trump entering the White House for a second presidential term is good news for Serbia.
Đurić said the US president has “family ties” with the region and is not a person burdened by negative stereotypes from the 1990s about Serbia.
Trump’s wife, Melania, was born in the former Yugoslavia, now Slovenia, but he also has other links to the region. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, secured a 99-year permit to develop a luxury real estate project in Belgrade.
The site, a former Yugoslav army headquarters, has been in the Trumps’ sights since 2013 when Donald proposed building a luxury hotel there. The project is estimated to cost $500 million.
When he mentioned the 1990s, Đurić was likely referring to the 1998-1999 Kosovo war, in which NATO carried out air strikes on Belgrade to stop the ethnic cleansing and atrocities committed by Slobodan Milosevic’s army against the Kosovars.
The regime of President Aleksandar Vučić is unapologetic about Belgrade’s role during the Kosovo war, and relations with Prishtina remain tense, an obstacle to its EU path. Serbia also believes it has been unfairly accused of genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1995. It also denies multiple massacres carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Trump “knows what it means to be unjustly accused and found guilty without being guilty,” he said, adding that Serbs support those they believe will treat them with more respect and that his countrymen have a great appetite for better relations with America based on mutual respect.
Đurić spoke about the importance of the Serbian community in the US, alluding to the fact that Serbs in the US supported Trump and donated to his campaign.
Acknowledging that Serbia has never been a priority for US foreign policy, Đurić said Belgrade was now focusing on building direct communication with the new US administration.
Đurić added that he had congratulated his counterpart, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on his appointment and would soon send him a letter expressing the intention to further deepen and strengthen cooperation and the wish that Belgrade would host both Trump and Rubio.
The head of Serbian diplomacy also said that a senior Serbian official was due to visit Washington in February but did not give a name.
Đurić also suggested that Serbia needs to spend more on lobbying US decision-makers, with a focus on drawing attention to “our case and our priorities”, likely another reference to Kosovo.
Speaking in Davos, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also praised Trump, saying he had chosen the right priorities, specifically focusing on increasing energy production and energy exports.
Vučić also said that he had a brief conversation in Davos with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“It is always nice to meet a sincere friend of Serbia, such as Ursula von der Leyen. A short exchange of opinions on the current situation in the world and the region, focusing on accelerating Serbia’s European path,” Vučić wrote on Instagram.
(Georgi Gotev | Euractiv.com)
In a surprising move, Serbia has offered to host talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Balkan nation has proposed itself as a neutral ground for the two leaders to come together and discuss pressing global issues.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic extended the invitation, stating that Serbia is committed to promoting peace and dialogue between nations. He emphasized the need for open communication and cooperation in order to address issues such as nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and conflicts in the Middle East.
With tensions between the US and Russia at a high, Serbia’s offer to host talks between Trump and Putin could provide a much-needed opportunity for the two leaders to engage in productive discussions. It remains to be seen whether the proposal will be accepted, but Serbia’s willingness to facilitate dialogue is a positive step towards de-escalating tensions and promoting global stability.
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In 1921, the Government of Serbia established the first data center to centralize and manage all government data and information. This move was a significant step towards modernizing government operations and improving efficiency in serving the citizens of Serbia.
Fast forward to 2022 – The Government Data Center (FDC) has evolved into a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest technology and security measures to protect and store sensitive government data. The FDC plays a crucial role in supporting government agencies in their daily operations, decision-making processes, and policy implementation.
As we look towards the future, the FDC will continue to innovate and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of technology and data management. It will remain a vital component in ensuring the smooth functioning of the government and serving the needs of the people of Serbia.
#GovernmentDataCenter #Serbia #Innovation #Technology #DataManagement
#SERBIA #Government #Data #Center #FDC, data center
