IMBECILE TAUNT!! Serbian President Issues Apology After Insulting State TV Reporter Amid Protests
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic issued an apology on Monday after labeling a state television reporter an “imbecile” for her coverage of a large-scale anti-government protest over the weekend.
Serbia’s populist leader, President Aleksandar Vucic, issued an apology on Monday after labeling a state television reporter an “imbecile” for her coverage of a large-scale anti-government protest over the weekend. The incident comes as nationwide demonstrations, sparked by a deadly train station canopy collapse in November that claimed 15 lives, continue to challenge Vucic’s decade-long hold on power.
The protests, led primarily by university students, have swelled into a broader movement against the right-wing, pro-Russia government, with critics pointing to corruption as the root cause of the tragedy. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets almost daily, shaking Vucic’s influence, including his sway over state-controlled media like Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) and other pro-government outlets.
In a surprising shift, RTS has recently begun covering the protests, drawing sharp rebukes from Vucic and his allies. During Saturday’s rally in the city of Nis, demonstrators demanded a free and just Serbia governed by the rule of law. Students announced plans for their next major demonstration on March 15 in Belgrade, while Vucic hinted at a “counter-revolution” rally of his own supporters in the capital, though he provided no specific date.
In his statement, Vucic acknowledged overstepping his role, saying, “As president, I have no right to call anyone an imbecile, and I apologise.” However, he doubled down on his criticism of RTS, accusing its journalists of lacking professionalism and objectivity, branding them “a disgrace to their profession” and suggesting they were acting as political activists.
RTS swiftly condemned Vucic’s remarks, asserting that no public official—regardless of political affiliation—should insult its staff in such a manner. The broadcaster’s response underscored growing tensions between the government and the media it has long sought to control.
Vucic also claimed the protests were part of an “unconstitutional” plot, orchestrated by Western intelligence agencies, to oust or assassinate him. He dismissed the demonstrators’ demands as “fabricated” and “essentially non-existent,” arguing they represent only a minority. The president further labeled the recent wave of road, railway, and institutional blockades across Serbia as illegal.
