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50,000 Protest Government in Serbia

   VOA News  April 16, 2011
   Serbia's Progressive Party leader Tomislav Nikolic attends a protest
   rally in Belgrade, Serbia, April 16, 2011

Photo: AP

   Serbia's Progressive Party leader Tomislav Nikolic attends a protest
   rally in Belgrade, Serbia, April 16, 2011

   Tens of thousands of Serbians have gathered in the capital, Belgrade,
   to protest against the government and call for early elections.
   Some 50,000 protesters Saturday shouted "thieves" and other sayings
   against President Boris Tadic and members of his administration. And
   opposition leader, Toma Nikolic, told the crowd he was beginning a
   hunger strike until the government agreed to schedule elections.
   Opposition against the government has been mounting as the economy
   suffers. There have been a number of strikes calling for higher
   salaries and in February 70,000 people attended an anti-government
   rally.
   Elections are not due until next year. And the government says it will
   not call elections sooner, because that could slow the process for
   Serbia's accession into the European Union.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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