Serbian opposition rallies for early election

16/04/11 14:23 CET

world news

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Thousands of people have gathered in Belgrade for an anti-government rally.

Serbia’s most influential opposition party is hoping to force an early election amid rising anger over economic austerity measures.

In February, around 70,000 people took part in a march to support the conservative Serbian Progressive Party and its allies. Its leader Tomislav Nikolic is also calling for higher wages, a crackdown on corruption and pro-European reforms.

Serbia only received membership candidate status last year but many people feel disgruntled by what they see as slow EU integration.

After months of strikes in the public sector the government agreed to increase salaries but its given no sign that it’s willing to yield to calls for early elections.More about: Belgrade, Protest, Serbia

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

Two Rebel groups have agreed to merge and create an independent Islamic state in Northern Mali. After seizing Azawad – an area larger than France – two months ago, the groups had initially disagreed, with the secular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)…