Rally in support of government outside National Assembly in Belgrade

Ruptly is live outside the National Assembly in Belgrade on Friday, May 26, as Serbians join a rally in support of the government. The event was announced by President Alexander Vucic, following anti-government protests against the recent wave of gun-related violence. Vucic, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Davic and Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Siarto are expected to speak. Two mass shootings in two days in May shocked the country, leaving 17 dead including many children, and led to thousands of people taking to the streets. The government accused the opposition of politicising the tragedies to mobilise support. Meanwhile, Vucic has backed a campaign encouraging people to hand over unlicensed guns without facing legal repercussions. Over 13,000 weapons were collected, with some going on display in Smederevo. Serbia has one of the world’s largest gun ownership rates, while around six percent of the population are license-holders.