Thousands accuse Serbia’s ruling populists of election fraud at a Belgrade rally

By JOVANA GEC
Associated Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of people have rallied in Serbia’s capital, chanting “Thieves!” and accusing the populist authorities of President Aleksandar Vucic of orchestrating a fraud during the recent general election. The big rally in central Belgrade on Saturday capped nearly two weeks of street protests against reported widespread irregularities during the Dec. 17 parliamentary and local ballot that were also noted by international election observers. The ruling Serbian Progressive Party was declared the election winner but the main opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, has claimed the election was stolen, particularly in the vote for the Belgrade city authorities.