Tensions Ahead of Vote on New Novi Sad Mayor

(BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

Ahead of the Feb. 24 Novi Sad Assembly sitting where a new mayor is supposed to be elected, supporters of the city’s united opposition and members of the general public have gathered in front of City Hall to protest the regime’s plans to replace resigned mayor Milan Djuric.

Metal fences bearing insignia of the city’s parking service have been erected in front of the building, which is also surrounded by a strong presence of police in riot gear. A significant number of gendarmerie are also stationed at the Vojvodina Assembly, some 200 meters away.

Representatives of the opposition previously dubbed new mayoral candidate Zarko Micin “unworthy” of the post because, they claim, “he led thugs in beating the public.”

So far, Micin served as chief of staff to resigned prime minister Milos Vucevic and is a representative in the Novi Sad City Assembly, which he joined as member of Aleksandar Vucic’s Novi Sad Tomorrow ticket. Micin is also the current executive board director of Jugoimport SDPR, a state-owned company trading in arms, military equipment and technology transfer.

Previous Novi Sad mayor Milan Djuric resigned on Jan. 28, after Serbian Progressive Party activists assaulted and seriously injured several university students.

The Novi Sad Assembly security personnel along with the private security hired ahead of the Feb. 24 sitting did not allow journalists to enter the premises with personal bags bearing a bloody handprint – the symbol of the ongoing protests.

According to BETA’s reporter on the ground, the security staff who searched the journalists stated that “no symbols of the protests are allowed inside City Hall because they are considered a provocation.”