The president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced at a press conference that Serbia has cancelled the EuroPride in Belgrade, the capital of the nation, CNE reports. According to the president, the EuroPride cannot take place, because the government fears disturbances.
Besides far-right groups and the Serbian Orthodox Church, who do not want the EuroPride to go ahead, tensions with Kosovo and the economic situation of Serbia also play a role, the president said.
The pan-European LGBT event was to take place in the capital from 12 to 18 September. There would also be a Pride Walk with demonstrations for LGBT rights. The decision to hold the events in Belgrade, Serbia, was decided three years ago already, but the government doesn’t consider an event like this justified given the current circumstances.
Tension and division
Just a short while ago thousands of people in Serbia demonstrated against the EuroPride. Also the Orthodox Bishop said he was opposed to the EuroPride. He even said he would “use weapons to stop it, if he could”.The Serbian Orthodox Church is convinced that the EuroPride would cause tension and division in the nation and is happy the president decided to cancel the event.
LGBT organisations in Serbia are furious, pointing out that Pride cannot be cancelled by a government that easily. Organisers of the event said they are still planning to march through Belgrade, but it seems to be a minor group. Large parts of society in Serbia fiercely reject LGBT livestyles, according to CNE.
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