Reuters – Thousands of Serbians protested in Belgrade on Saturday (January 12) against President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), making demands including media freedom, an end to attacks on journalists and opposition figures, and no secret treaty with Kosovo.

Protesters brought together by the Alliance for Serbia, a loose grouping of 30 opposition parties and organizations, held banners and blew whistles in the sixth such protest in as many weeks, also accusing Vucic of preparing a negotiated settlement with Kosovo, a key precondition for Serbia to join EU.

The opposition rally comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit scheduled for next Thursday (January 17). Belgrade enjoys Russia’s backing in its opposition to Kosovo independence declared in 2008, almost a decade after a brutal 1998-1999 war there.

While Vucic says membership of the European Union remains Serbia’s ultimate goal, he maintains close ties with Russia, long a Slavic and Orthodox Christian ally of the country.

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