Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered for a massive opposition rally to demand early elections in Serbia on the grounds of a deepening economic crisis and alleged corruption.
Opposition supporters — many bused in from across Serbia — are carrying national flags and banners calling for the fall of the pro-Western government.
Organizers from the nationalist Serbian Progressive Party have threatened to continue with the protests until an early vote is scheduled. The government has rejected their demand saying the elections will be held after Serbia wins candidacy for European Union membership in the autumn.
Hundreds of riot police were deployed ahead of Saturday’s rally around government buildings in central Belgrade.
