Vucic Compelled to Take Hard Stance on Riots in Serbia
/ Go to the mediabankSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic attends the Meeting of the European Political Community in Prague, Czech Republic. 
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The political situation and rallies in Serbia compel President Aleksandar Vucic to demonstrate a tough stance, but force is used by the authorities adequately and within the country’s constitution, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko told Sputnik. “It is necessary, he is being forced to take a tough stance in the situation on the street. These are calls for violence, for riot. With the use of force, indeed, but within the constitution and adequately – but what other option can there be when riots are going on, they are called for?” Botsan-Kharchenko Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko told Sputnik.Vucic is looking for a balance between rigidity and taking into account the reasonable demands of the protesters, the ambassador added. “Now is a critically important period when it is essential to find a balance between active opposition, a tough stance … And a certain flexibility and constructive approach. I want to emphasize one thing: in his line of counteraction to these protests, he does not immediately dismiss all the demands [of the protesters] using only the force factor,” Botsan-Kharchenko said. 
WorldProtests in Serbia Leave 6 Policemen Injured, 56 People Detained17 August, 10:10 GMTStudent and opposition protests began in Serbia after the collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. The situation in Serbian cities escalated in mid-August. As protesters became more agitated during the late hours, they became more confrontational towards law enforcement agents, barricading and blocking access roads.
