Authorities Elect Mayor of Novi Sad

(BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

The councilors of the ruling coalition, which is led by the Serbian Progressive Party and also includes the Socialist Party of Serbia and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, elected at a Feb. 24 session Zarko Micin as the new mayor of Novi Sad.

In his inaugural speech, Micin stated that "stability, efforts to ease tensions and stop further divisions in society are key." "Serbia is a democratic country and cannot be stopped by blockades, but dialogue must be nurtured. This chamber in which we stand today should not be a place of conflict but of debate and constructive dialogue," Micin said.

The united opposition of Novi Sad declared that they refused to acknowledge Zarko Micin’s election, arguing that he was "unworthy" of the mayoral position and accusing him of, among other things, "organizing the Progressive thugs" to attack students and citizens.

Before the session began, opposition supporters and other citizens gathered in front of the City Assembly, and the building was secured by a strong police presence equipped for riot control.

Only the ruling coalition’s councilors attended the session. The opposition claimed that their councilors were not allowed to participate, with the police reportedly justifying the decision by labeling them a "security risk."

The Novi Sad Police Department denied allegations that police officers prevented opposition councilors from entering the City Assembly. "The secretary of the City Assembly invited opposition councilors to take part in today's session, but they refused the invitation and attempted to forcibly enter the building along with demonstrators," the police statement read.

The statement further noted that five police officers were injured in attempts by some of the gathered citizens to break through the police cordon. Police officers were allegedly pelted with firecrackers, stones, eggs, yogurt, paint, and other objects. According to the statement, one officer used a "dispersant with an irritant agent in accordance with the law, to repel the attack."