In Belgrade, Serbia, tensions have escalated as hundreds of student protesters have blocked the national television station building amidst continuing anti-government protests. This action precedes a major rally slated for the weekend, which is perceived as a pivotal moment in a prolonged period of unrest. Students instigated the blockade late Monday and returned Tuesday to maintain their 22-hour hold on the building. A corresponding protest occurred in Novi Sad, the country’s second-largest city.
This movement has grown following a tragic incident in November when a large concrete canopy collapsed at a Novi Sad railway station, resulting in 15 fatalities. The event has magnified public discontent, challenging President Aleksandar Vucic, who maintains a tight hold on Serbian leadership. In response to the blockade, riot police intervened when protesters attempted to barricade a TV building entrance. A plainclothes officer was reportedly injured in the ensuing scuffle, as seen in video footage circulating online.
The students criticize the public broadcaster for biased reporting that supports President Vucic and his administration. Vucic appeared on the network’s main news program on Monday, using the opportunity to disparage the student protests and caution potential participants in the Saturday rally of police intervention. He insisted he would not resign despite the national outcry, even making an extreme statement, “You will have to kill me if you want to replace me.”
Labeling the students as a “mob,” the TV journalist who interviewed Vucic seemed to echo and amplify the president’s dismissive stance. In response, RTS, the broadcasting station, condemned the blockade, arguing it impedes employees from reaching their workplaces and could provoke unpredictable conflicts. However, it appears some staff managed to access the building through an obscure side entrance, allowing operations to continue.
Simultaneously, Vucic had an unexpected meeting with Donald Trump Jr., who was visiting Belgrade, although details about the meeting’s purpose have not been disclosed. Vucic has shown robust support for President Trump, aligning himself with pro-Russian sentiments.
The canopy collapse is widely attributed to subpar renovation work attributed to government corruption. The students demand accountability, a stance that resonates with many citizens disillusioned with political leadership and lacking trust in governmental institutions. The protests have mobilized tens of thousands, representing some of Serbia’s largest demonstrations, a country with a storied history of anti-government resistance.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Vucic has warned that demonstrators will attempt violent measures, predicting severe consequences and many arrests for alleged criminal behavior. Historically, these protests have been largely peaceful, though some incidents have arisen, such as vehicles being driven into protest blockades or confrontations against demonstrators.
Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party have dominated the political landscape for over a decade, frequently accused of undermining democratic freedoms despite nominal aspirations for European Union membership. In the aftermath of the canopy disaster, 16 individuals face charges, though skepticism about true accountability remains pervasive.
