Anti-gov't protest

'We demand the exact date of elections!'

06.03.2011 u 18:21

Bionic
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About 1,500 demonstrators rallied in Cvjetni Trg square in central Zagreb at 4pm on Sunday demanding that the government call elections as soon as possible.

The crowd was addressed by protest organiser Ivan Pernar, who asked them to say if they wanted him to continue to lead the protests or not. He received support from most of those present, while some expressed their opposition.

Among the speakers was Tomislav Pokrovac, a representative of farmers' associations, who gave the government an ultimatum to fix an election date.

"Farmers are taking to the streets next week, and here is our ultimatum to the government: we demand the exact date of elections. We won't get off the streets until they announce it," Pokrovac said.

Shortly before 5pm, the demonstrators began their march through the city centre, their number swelling to about 5,000. Just as previous days, they first headed for St Mark's Square, the seat of the government of parliament, but were turned back by the police because public assemblies there are banned by law.