1996-97 protests in Serbia
Encyclopedia
Anti-Milošević protests in Serbia in winter of 1996/1997 refers to the mass protests organized by the Serbia
n opposition (Zajedno coalition) and university students, in response to electoral fraud
attempted by the regime of Slobodan Milošević
after 1996 local elections.
The protests started 17 November 1996 in Niš
where thousands of opposition supporters gathered to protest against election fraud. Belgrade University students joined 19 November 1996 and protests lasted even after 11 February 1997 when Milošević signed the "lex specialis
", which accepted the opposition victory and instated local government in several cities, but without acknowledging any wrongdoing. The protests were strongest in the capital Belgrade
, where they gathered up to 200,000 people, but spread over most cities and towns in Serbia.
During the course of the rallies, students held their protests separately from the citizens' ones, led by opposition then gathered in coalition Zajedno (Together). Actually, the students' protest lasted until March 22, 1997, with additional requests of replacing the management of University of Belgrade
and return of the university autonomy.
Richard Holbrooke
commented on the issue in his memoirs, recalling that the Americans were not able to support the protests due to the transitional period to the Clinton II Administration
:
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n opposition (Zajedno coalition) and university students, in response to electoral fraud
Electoral fraud
Electoral fraud is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud affect vote counts to bring about an election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates or both...
attempted by the regime of Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević was President of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He served as the President of Socialist Republic of Serbia and Republic of Serbia from 1989 until 1997 in three terms and as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000...
after 1996 local elections.
The protests started 17 November 1996 in Niš
Niš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
where thousands of opposition supporters gathered to protest against election fraud. Belgrade University students joined 19 November 1996 and protests lasted even after 11 February 1997 when Milošević signed the "lex specialis
Lex specialis
Lex specialis, in legal theory and practice, is a doctrine relating to the interpretation of laws, and can apply in both domestic and international law contexts. The doctrine states that a law governing a specific subject matter overrides a law which only governs general matters...
", which accepted the opposition victory and instated local government in several cities, but without acknowledging any wrongdoing. The protests were strongest in the capital Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, where they gathered up to 200,000 people, but spread over most cities and towns in Serbia.
During the course of the rallies, students held their protests separately from the citizens' ones, led by opposition then gathered in coalition Zajedno (Together). Actually, the students' protest lasted until March 22, 1997, with additional requests of replacing the management of University of Belgrade
University of Belgrade
The University of Belgrade is the oldest and largest university of Serbia.Founded in 1808 as the Belgrade Higher School in revolutionary Serbia, by 1838 it merged with the Kragujevac-based departments into a single university...
and return of the university autonomy.
Richard Holbrooke
Richard Holbrooke
Richard Charles Albert Holbrooke was an American diplomat, magazine editor, author, professor, Peace Corps official, and investment banker....
commented on the issue in his memoirs, recalling that the Americans were not able to support the protests due to the transitional period to the Clinton II Administration
United States presidential election, 1996
The United States presidential election of 1996 was a contest between the Democratic national ticket of President Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee and the Republican national ticket of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas for President and former Housing Secretary Jack...
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