The Serbian police are using tear gas to prevent protesters from storming the council building.

On Sunday, police in Serbia used tear gas to prevent hundreds of opposition supporters from entering the city council building in the capital. The demonstrators gathered to protest against widespread violations during the general elections held last weekend, as reported by observers.

Populist regime of the country

Denies the fact of vote rigging and describes the elections for the parliament and local offices as fair. President Aleksandar Vučić stated on Sunday that these claims are blatant "false" propaganda from the political opposition.

Mr. Vucic also suggested that the unrest was incited by foreign forces. Addressing the nation during a protest outside the city building in Belgrade, he referred to the demonstrators as "hooligans" who would not succeed in destabilizing the state and said, "This is not a revolution." "They will not succeed," Mr. Vucic stated. "We are doing everything possible with a calm and soft response to avoid harming the peaceful protesters" who came to the event for peaceful demonstrations.

The barricaded police forces, intended to combat riots, took shelter inside the Belgrade city council building, using tear gas as hundreds of opposition protesters broke the windows.

The protesters shouted "Open the door" and "Thieves." They also pelted the building with eggs.

The results of the elections on December 17 showed a victory for Mr. Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party both in parliament and in the city government of Belgrade. The party's main opponent, the "Serbia Against Violence" alliance, claimed that their victory was stolen, especially in Belgrade. The conducted elections have caused political tensions in the troubled Balkan country, which is seeking close ties with Russia while also aiming for membership in the European Union.

In a letter sent to institutions, officials, and members of the European Union, the "Serbia Against Violence" alliance stated that it would not recognize the election results. The alliance urged the European Union to do the same and to initiate an investigation.