Belgrade witnessed its largest anti-government protest in recent months as an estimated 140,000 demonstrators flooded the streets demanding early elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic’s 12-year rule. The protests, largely driven by students and supported by opposition groups, farmers, and workers, mark a significant escalation in public dissatisfaction with the populist regime.
Chanting “We want elections!”, protesters gathered in the heart of the capital on Saturday, only to be met with a heavy police response. Riot police deployed tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd, leading to dozens of arrests. Tensions escalated further when Serbia’s Higher Court in Belgrade revealed on Friday that five individuals had been detained for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
President Vucic responded defiantly, accusing the demonstrators of being part of a foreign conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Serbia. “They wanted to topple Serbia, and they have failed,” he stated via Instagram.
Protesters, however, insist their movement is rooted in legitimate grievances. “The institutions have been usurped and… there is a lot of corruption. Elections are the solution, but I don’t think he (Vucic) will want to go peacefully,” said Sladjana Lojanovic, a 37-year-old farmer from Sid who joined the rally in support of students.
The unrest follows months of demonstrations triggered by a tragic incident in November 2023, when the roof of Novi Sad’s railway station collapsed, killing 16 people. Protesters blame systemic corruption for the disaster, which led to the resignation of the former prime minister.
The government, led by Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party, currently holds a dominant 156-seat majority in the 250-seat parliament. Despite growing calls for early elections, the president has remained adamant about completing his second term, which ends in 2027.
Organisers of the Saturday protest accused the authorities of choosing “violence and repression” over dialogue. In a statement played to the crowd, they urged citizens to “take freedom into your own hands,” declaring the movement’s readiness for further action.
As tensions rise, Serbia faces a crucial moment that may define its democratic future and international standing.
